Eudora Welty's "Why I Live At The P.O."
"No, but thank you so much for inviting me to the party." Rumored to be Eudora's last words before dying; would exemplify her public character immaculately. Eudora Welty was considered to be a very polite, humble and gentle woman. She was born April 13, 1909 and spent her childhood in Jackson, Mississippi. Living with two brothers, a mother and father and leading an idealistic life according to her. Often throughout her life, Eudora travels back to Jackson, Mississippi from different places across the country let alone the world, before finally settling in Jackson. This should not be misinterpreted as dependency, more just a comfort for and appreciation of one's hometown (Johnston).
Eudora proved time again that she was comfortable in different settings. She studied at Mississippi State College for women, University of Wisconsin, Colombia University business school in New York, Oxford and Cambridge ( Eudora Welty). She also spent time in France, Italy, England and Ireland. All this said to state that Eudora Welty should not be considered a "regional" writer due to the fact she maintained living in most of the houses she grew up in and residing in Jackson, Mississippi. Her writings should not be thought of or misread as regional. The subjects are universal, but dealt with and written in local context (Kreyling7-25).
Eudora Welty has been the recipient of many honors and awards. One being the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Optimist's Daughter. Others included, but are not limited to: Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Mississippi University for Women (formerly Mississippi State College for Women) in Columbus; French Légion d'Honneur; Honorary Degree from the University of Burgundy, France; Honorary doctorate from Princeton University; Grand Master Award from the Birmingham-Southern Writer's Conference; Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Columbia University; Medal of Freedom...
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