A Worn Path Analysis

Knowing secret information can be a very enlightening thing. Knowing information that someone else does not helps make the reader feel more powerful. Such is the case when the reader knows of the mythical Phoenix and then reads “A Worn Path.” Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the story of an elderly grandmother’s journey to the doctor’s office for medication for her grandson, explores allusions to mythology, including the character Phoenix and her journey.

I think the trip to the city to get the medicine represents the mythological trip that the Phoenix takes to the sun to die. I say this because by going on this journey Phoenix is using the last of her energy and will probably die soon after it. On her way to the city Phoenix faces many obstacles. One obstacle she faces is old age “Seems like there is chains about my feet “ she says this because her old age has left her almost immobile. The first actual obstacle she comes across is the scarecrow who represents death or the grim reaper because he is described as wearing all black and is trying to get her to come with him. Another thing that links the scarecrow to death is the simple fact that he is in a field. The next obstacle is the white hunter who tells her to go back and represents evil forces ” Well, granny you must be a hundred years old and scared of nuthin I’d give you a dime if I had any money with me. But you take my advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to you”. He is lying about having no money so she steals a nickel from him, a trivial amount of money for him that won’t be missed so we the readers find ourselves justifying the theft.

When an elderly, pettiet, determined old woman comes in conflict with a treacherous journey in a situation in which her physical and emotional will is tested, the results may be the undying love of a grandparent. In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty it uncovers the complex and heartfelt journey experienced by Phoenix Jackson, for her grandson. Welty uses the elements of characterization, setting, and plot to bring the meaning of love and commitment to another extraordinary level.

“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, published in the Atlantic Monthly during February 1941, portrays an elderly, southern, African American woman’s endurance through a lengthy journey from her home to Natchez, Mississippi to obtain medicine for her ill grandson, who has lye poisoning. Throughout the journey, the protagonist, Phoenix Jackson, confronts several conflicts testing her. The tale describes the encounters of Phoenix Jackson during her travels using literary devices including symbolism, conflict, and allusion to detail Jackson’s experiences as she overcomes the physical, psychological, and social obstacles she faces that ultimately emphasize her character.

Phoenix overcomes many obstacles on her way to town. She quickly gets her dress caught on a thorny bush, but manages to work it free from the thorns without tearing it. She crosses a creek by walking across a log with her eyes shut, feeling her way with her cane. When she comes to a barbed-wire fence, she must climb through it, "spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb the steps" (364). At one point during her excursion Phoenix meets up with a dog, which startles her and causes her to lose her balance and fall. Luckily, a hunter finds her and helps her back onto her feet. The hunter, however, being young and cocky, tries to scare her with a gun. Phoenix does not so much as flinch, telling the hunter that she has "seen plenty go off closer by" (366). Despite all the obstacles, Phoenix continues on her way, resolving to make it to town for her grandson.

Based on the last couple of papers I wrote there were viewer errors in this paper on a short about the “A Worn Path”. Collectively the errors came from grammar that was miss by me on my final check of the paper. The response was greater on positive feedback from the instructor for doing a good job on the paper. My down fall was the error with submission of the paper, I thought everything was ok on my end but the file showed up blank. On my behalf I should have look at the file twice before submitting it to ensure the file was ready.

Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path” demonstrations how people in the early twentieth century could not see past the color of one’s skin and the hardships which are faced because of this blindness. Welty short story demonstrations these difficulties with Phoenix Jackson and her journey to town. Through symbolism and motifs and even the symbolism has double meaning. For example, “seem like there is chains about my feet” (Welty 1) as her path is face with a hill. Yes, it could be just the hardship of the hill or the chains of slavery or her life of struggles. While developing her character within the flawed imagery Welty leaves readers with a paradox of their own, who Phoenix truly is. During the 1940’s, Mississippi countryside was not a kind place to color people as the hunter so nicely called her nor an elderly woman on her own. Meanwhile Phoenix persevered using her wits and grit. Although this path lies open to interpretation, Phoenix Jackson reveals her true character with little gestures and leaves little bread crumbs to follow. The well-worn path is not without purpose or meaning thou the truth within unravels as if following the pattern set by Phoenix’s untied shoelaces dragging behind.

Since the dawn of the patriarchal society, women have always strived to be recognized as equals of men. Female visionaries speak words of feminism and empowerment to encourage other women to stand up, be heard and be noticed. In the short stories “The Chrysanthemums” and “A Worn Path” by John Steinbeck and Eudora Welty, respectively, both authors give their portrayal of women in slightly similar but seemingly different ways. Though both stories provide insight on what women can do with the abilities they have, the authors give their own illustrations on women’s true strength. Looking first at Steinbeck’s

She continues on “slowly in the dark pine shadow, moving little from side to side in her steps with the balanced heaviness and lightness of a grandfather clock.” Phoenix keeps trudging along the frozen earth year after year in her infinite cycle. As Phoenix moves through the “Worn Path” she encounters many obstacles each getting more fatal than the last. The natural setting puts these obstacles in her way and could even be described as the antagonist in the story.

In the short story, “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, an elderly woman by the name of Phoenix Jackson is trekking to town on a cold December morning to retrieve medicine for her grandson’s throat. She is wearing a long, striped dress that reach down to her ankles, a red rag tied in a knot on top of her head, and shoes with the shoelaces untied. Phoenix, walking staggered in her step, finds it remotely difficult each time she walks to town as she must cross various terrains. Phoenix Jackson is a brave, determined, and loyal elderly woman who is on mission to retrieve her grandson’s medicine.

Every person has a path that he or she must walk in life; and on that path, are many different challenges. In order to overcome these challenges, one must have the determination to push and press through. In the short, “A worn path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson, the main character, was faced with many different challenges. Thou she was very old, but she didn’t let that keep her from what she had to do. Phoenix shows her determination against nature, her mind, and person.

The short story, “A Worn Path,” by Eudora Welty explores the character of Phoenix Jackson as she journeys to town. As Phoenix Jackson travels to Natchez, she encounters many people and obstacles as she struggles to reach her destination. When she reaches town it is discovered that the purpose of the journey was to retrieve medicine for her sick grandson. Much is discovered through the symbolism and character traits of Phoenix Jackson expressed through Eudora Welty’s writing. The actions and struggles of Phoenix Jackson throughout the story show her selflessness and determination.

Eudora Welty’s short story, “A Worn Path”, tells a story of an elderly woman named Phoenix Jackson who is making her way down a path in the woods one cold December day. Throughout the story Jackson runs into several animals and people, some are real and others are memories, daydreams or even tricks of the eye. These characters seem small at first, but they hold a much greater meaning in the story than you would expect. On the trip, the old woman faces difficult terrain that tests her strength and ability, never complaining or giving up, she just continues to push herself. Although the reader is unaware of where Jackson is going until the end of the story, with what she goes through to get there, you can tell she is determined to make it despite the obstacles she encounters.

Rodrigo has shown increasing confidence and independence in selecting and carrying out activities and persists for extended periods of time at an activity of his choosing. It is difficult for Rodrigo to express his feelings when he is sad or angry, but after he has calmed down he is more willing to talk about what happened. Rodrigo is a bit shy and does not like being the centre of attention of the class, but he is always willing to try new things once he has seen others do them.

Mrs. Phoenix makes the journey seem to be an easy one, talking to the animals to stay out of her way like she has seen them previously on other walks. On the journey she meets a hunter who she talks with about her journey and how she must go to town even though he insists she turns back around. He pulls a gun on her and she shows no fears including saying to the man that it’s not like she has come across having a gun pointed at her. He lets her proceed. Once in town at her destination she forgets why she is there until a nurse asks her how her grandson is doing and if he needed more medicine for his throat closing up. She then goes on to say it’s just them two and they look out for each other. I am under the impression the grandson is not alive anymore because she does not remember at first to why she is there. I would think that would be all that is on her mind during the journey to make it back with the medication safe. I believe she makes the trips because it’s a regular trip she made for the boy when he was alive. The trip lets her talk with others. Making the trip seems like a very long hike through rough terrain but one that she enjoys to