"Why I live at the P.O." is told in the first person, so its point-of-view is far more unreliable in character than "A Worn Path." The story makes use of a single character's limited point-of-view to derive humor from family conflicts and the narrator's jealousy of Stella-Rondo. Sister's tone is what makes her story unintentionally funny for the reader. The story's irony is derived from her melodramatic view of her romantic escapades in a small, gossipy town. The tone of the story suggests none of the conflicts of the characters will have long-lasting consequences: these conflicts are a part of everyday family life.

While both Phoenix and Sister may be small-town residents, the setting of both stories shows the different nuances Welty can give to small-town life. A lack of medical care makes Phoenix's life a constant trial, while Sister is constantly surrounded by people who observe one another, and...
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