Not only was food in short supply there, but Huang's family was also cruelly mistreated by members of that household. Situations such as being unable to pay his tuition on time, as well as various other sufferings, gave Huang feelings of low self-esteem. But deep down inside, he was still filled with a strong sense of his own dignity.
住在大姊家，不但吃住簡陋，還飽受大姊家人的冷落虐待，學費也一拖再拖，種種苦悶，造成黃友棣自卑、自憐的心理，但內心又充滿了強烈的自尊。