Background
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and “Why I Live at the P.O.” by Eudora Welty are two literary works that present the universal human experience and remain relevant in today’s world. A Raisin in the Sun narrates the story of the Younger family as they struggle to navigate the challenges of poverty, racism, and discrimination in 1950s America. On the other hand, “Why I Live at the P.O.” is a satirical short story about the rift between two sisters. In it, Sister tries to justify her decision to leave her family and live at the post office. This essay, utilizing secondary sources, delves into how increasing education expenses affect Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun, non-traditional education alternatives, and contemporary family dynamics showcased in “Why I Live at the P.O.”
The Cost of Education and Its Effects on Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun
In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha struggles with the rising cost of education and its limitations on her aspirations. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost to fund higher education has risen dramatically over the past few decades (Zumeta 1). Because of this increase, Zumeta says it has become difficult for students from low-income families to afford college (1). This is exactly the same situation that Beneatha finds herself in. Beneatha is a young African American woman who comes from a working-class family, and it is because of this that she understands the odds are already stacked against her.
Walter is Beneatha’s brother and comments on this issue. He states, “Ain’t many girls who decide–to be a doctor…I always thought it was the white man’s way, you know” (Hansberry 39). His words clearly show the pervasive belief that certain professions are not accessible to people of color. This emphasizes the social and economic barriers to education faced by people of color.
To Walter, his sister should not pursue medicine because he is not white. Beneatha’s mother also recognizes the importance of education, but acknowledges the difficulties one must overcome to get it. Lena says, “It’s a sad time when a man measures his fulfillment and his worth by what he can buy” (Hansberry 4). Lena’s comments speak to the societal emphasis on financial success, which can overshadow the importance of education and personal growth.
Beneatha’s battle is not unusual; in fact, it serves as an example of the difficulties that millions of young people in the United States are experiencing today. As Cahalan contends in his paper, inequality has increased in the United States since the 1970s, which is part of the greater trend of growing education costs (40). The mix of variables, including technical advancement, globalization, and the weakening of labor unions, in accordance with Cahalan, is what is driving this trend (40). The widening economic gap between the rich and poor has made it increasingly difficult for low-income families to fund higher education, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities such as Hispanics and African-Americans.
The high cost of higher education has deterred many students from pursuing their goals. As a result, it may be more valuable to acquire education through alternative ways, such as by joining vocational schools and apprenticeship programs. McNally and Panapasa argue that vocational schools and apprenticeship programs can be more valuable because they offer hands-on training and experience in specific fields, which is not true with college degrees (McNally and Panapasa 73).
In the play, Walter expresses her frustration with the cost of education for her sister. She says, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ’bout messing ’round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet” (Hansberry 41). Beneatha’s frustration with the high cost of education is evident in this scene. She understands that becoming a doctor is not an easy task. Still, the cost of education makes it impossible for her to achieve her dream.
In addition to the rising cost of education, Beneatha is shaped by family dynamics, particularly gender and racial barriers, in her quest to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. She faces discrimination and prejudice from her male counterparts and her family, who do not believe that she can become a doctor. She tells her brother, “And I’m going to practice in some South Side ghetto and just take care of people who can’t pay” (Hansberry 49).
Beneatha Younger symbolizes the struggles that women and minorities face in pursuing their dreams and achieving success. Her struggles are further reinforced by McNally and Panapasa, who argue that living in a multigenerational household can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. The positive aspects include increased social support and reduced isolation, while the negative aspects include increased stress and conflict (McNally and Panapasa 73). Living in a multigenerational household adds to the stress of pursuing her dreams. Her family members constantly oppose her because they fail to understand her ambitions and the importance of education.
Family Dynamics in “Why I Live at the P.O.”
Multigenerational households are becoming more common in the 21st century due to aging populations and economic instability, leading to changes in family dynamics and more families living together. Contemporary trends show an increase in multigenerational households where grown-up children prefer living with their parents and relatives under a single roof, unlike in the past when they moved out to establish their own households. This sudden shift in family dynamics, as stated by Wang et al., can be attributed to various factors, including economic pressures, the high cost of housing, and ever-changing cultural values within society (8). They note that many young adults are now residing with their parents or grandparents due to financial constraints or to save money for a home down payment (Wang et al. 8).
Bulik also observes this trend, noting that “the economic downturn has led to an increase in extended families sharing living spaces” (Bulik). Oliner further argues that rising rent and house prices are key factors contributing to the weak housing recovery in the US. These factors can contribute to the increase in families living under one roof this century.
The effects of the rise of multigenerational households can be seen in Eudora Welty’s short story “Why I Live at the P.O.” The story depicts a family residing in a small town in Mississippi, where extended family living was a typical practice. The main character in the story is Sister, who has issues with her sister Stella-Rondo because she has returned home with a daughter. She tells Mama, “So as soon as she got married and moved away from home, the first thing she did was separate” (Welty 1).
This expression shows her frustration towards her sister, who seems to have distracted their family dynamic. This tension between them is because of Stella-Rondo’s decision. Stella-Rondo decided to leave her husband and move back home. Sister resents her sister’s presence and feels that she is not welcome. The conflict between the two sisters shows the challenges that can arise when different generations and personalities live together under one roof.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly impacted household composition and family dynamics. In their article, Evelyn Iriarte et al. explore the effects of household isolation on intergenerational relationships. They discovered that one-, two-, and three-generation households with older adults experienced increased conflict and decreased cohesion during the pandemic. These findings show how important it is for people to understand and address how external factors such as pandemics and economic changes affect household composition and family dynamics.
Welty used the character of Sister to demonstrate the complexities of familial connections. Her choice to leave the family home and live at the post office reflects evolving family relations in the twenty-first century. In this case, Sister is searching for autonomy and solitude to avoid conflict with Stella-Rondo.
Rising education expenses are a significant issue that requires an immediate response. They present a barrier to education, particularly for those from low-income households, and hence perpetuate inequality. Furthermore, prioritizing profits over academic quality may reduce overall educational quality.
Finally, a poorly educated workforce can stifle economic growth and competitiveness. Likewise, family relationships are critical for personal growth and well-being. Favorable family dynamics promote healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development. In contrast, unfavorable ones may result in enduring and adverse effects on mental health.
Works Cited
Bulik, Beth Snyder. “We Are Family-And More of Us Are Living Under One Roof.” Advertising Age, vol. 81, no. 30, 2010, pp. 1–20.
Cahalan, Margaret, et al. “2019 Indicators of higher education equity in the United States: Historical trend report.” 2019.
Hansberry, Lorraine. “A Raisin in the Sun.” 1959, pp. 21-150. Web.
Iriarte, Evelyn, et al. “The Impact of COVID-19 Household Isolation on Conflict and Cohesion in One-, Two-, and Three-Generation Households with Older Adults.” Journal of Gerontological Nursing, vol. 49, no. 4, 2023, pp. 47–56.
McNally, James W., and Sela V. Panapasa. “Measuring the Level of Psychological Distress among Adults in Households with a Coresident Elder.” Annual International Conference on Cognitive & Behavioral Psychology, 2015, pp. 73–77. EBSCOhost, Web.
Oliner, Stephen D. “Housing conundrum: a shortage of demand or supply?” Business Economics, vol. 51, no. 3, 2016, pp. 161–165.
Wang, Meimei, et al. “Intergenerational factors influencing household cohabitation in urban China: Chengdu.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health vol. 18, no. 8, 2021, pp. 1–14.
Welty, Eudora. “Why I live at the P. O.?” 1941, pp. 1-15. Web.
Zumeta, William, et al.” Financing American higher education in the era of globalization.” Harvard Education Press, 2021.