A Worn Path Eudora Welty Analysis

In “A Worn Path”, by Eudora Welty, we join Phoenix Jackson on her routine voyage to town for the medicine her grandson needs to survive. Throughout this short story it is obvious that there are themes of persistence, struggle, and love. This struggle to the town is made apparent and is emphasized by the stories setting along with the use of symbolism, and mood/atmosphere of the story.

“A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty. It is based on an elderly African-American grandmother named Phoenix Jackson, who goes for a walk to the town of Natchez on a cold December morning to get some medicine for her ailing grandson. This story speaks of the obstacles Phoenix endured along the way and how she overcame them. The theme, central idea or message that the author wishes to convey to his or her readers, in “A Worn Path” is one of determination. Phoenix Jackson is determined to get to Natchez, in order to get medicine for her grandson; she does not let any obstacles get in her way. The theme of determination is shown in many ways throughout this short story.

In the short story, “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, the story's protagonist Phoenix Jackson travels from her home through the forest, to town where she goes to retrieve a remedy for her grandson's throat. Phoenix Jackson is an elderly black woman on a difficult, dangerous journey through the cold winter to reach the city. To maintain her balance through this journey and to ward off wild animals slinking through the woods, Phoenix walks with a thin cane made from an umbrella. She has made this trip many times before, however, this time around is much more difficult due to her aging body and fragile bones.

In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix Jackson demonstrates that people often overcome obstacles for loved ones. In her journey, Jackson faces physical, mental and social obstacles, but she overcome all of those obstacles and shows the reader of her perseverance. First of all, Jackson faces physical obstacles in her journey. She is a small, old African American women who does not have a proper dress for her journey. She dress up herself with a long apron and unlaced shoes.

We all have someone that takes care of us and, would do anything to see us do well and be happy. In the short story A Worn Path this young child made a poor decision, which put his very life a risk. His Grandma named Phoenix would not see this happen. So despite her age and her lack of capability to do things that required physical exertion, she set out on a long trek to the nearest hospital to find her Grandson, who she loved very much, medicine. We can learn a lot of things from this fearless Grandmother, how she carried herself, and respond to the trials she came across. We can also learn a lesson from how the Grandson reacted to the courageous acts of his Grandmother. There are three important messages that the reader can derive from the short story A Worn Path by Eudora Welty, we are all going to travel paths in life and we need to stick to them and not fall off, people need to learn to express their thankfulness to those who sacrifices for them, we also need to learn to be more accepting and nicer to others.

In the story of Phoenix Jackson, an old woman whose great courage on and overcoming great obstacles is brought to life in the short story from “A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty. Now some of Phoenix’s most compelling evidence of perseverance comes from the path she has chosen to take and having the willpower to never give. Old age is not always the end of the road, but the journey it takes to get to that age is worth living for.

In "A Worn Path", a short story by Eudora Welty, the main character, an old colored woman named Phoenix, slowly but surely makes her way down a "worn path" through the woods. Throughout her journey, she runs into many obstacles such as a thorny bush and a hunter. She overcomes these obstacles and continues with her travels. She finally reaches her destination, the doctor’s office, where she gets medicine for her sick grandson back home. Many critics have speculated that this short story represents the love a grandmother shows for her grandson. Others say this story represents life and death, where Phoenix represents an immortal figure. Dennis J. Sykes disagrees with the other critics by saying,

“ ‘Doesn't the gun scare you?’ he said, still pointing it. ‘No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done,’ she said, holding utterly still.” This is a sentence in A Worn Path written by Eudora Welty. Appearing to be used to witnessing racial violence toward the African Americans, Phoenix Jackson is not frightened even when the gun is pointing at her, facing a life and death situation. Eudora Welty illustrates the racial prejudice faced by the blacks that become a huge dark shadow in their lives along with the idea of preservation, redemption, and love through the uses of rhetorical devices, precise details, and concise language.

In “A Worn Path”, by Eudora Welty, we join Phoenix Jackson on her routine voyage to town for the medicine her grandson needs to survive. Throughout this short story, it is obvious that there are themes of persistence, struggle, and love. This struggle to the town is made apparent and is emphasized by the stories setting along with the use of symbolism, and mood/atmosphere of the story.

I agree that her misinterpretation of the scarecrow is a vital part of the story. In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix has difficulty seeing. This characteristic contributes to the impact of the story by showing her strength and perseverance along the path to Natchez (Welty). For example, even though Phoenix couldn’t see well and faced several difficulties along the way, such as the incident with the dog, she continued her path to Natchez in order to get medicine for her ill grandson (Welty). Phoenix’s desire to overcome obstacles to get the medicine for her ill grandson symbolizes the older African-American generation’s strength through the difficult period in order to provide the younger African-American generation with a better quality

It starts simply A slow, soft line of eighth notes played by the right hand. The left comes in a measure later with an arpeggio, adding depth and solidifying the mood of the piece. Played by an expert pianist, it sounds apprehensive and full of longing. It is a classic song that every piano student learns, but few are able to master. “Für Elise” was written by deaf and depressed musician Ludwig Van Beethoven in 1810. Its meaning and curious title have been the subject of debate for years, and its bittersweet tune is recognized by people across the world.

In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson makes annual trip to town to get medicine for her grandson, but it is not just a trip to town. In this short story her path shows many examples of symbolism and imagery. Through the characterization of Phoenix Jackson during her journey, she overcomes challenges that test her will, courage, and persistence to show that love gives strength to achieve her goal. In "A Worn Path" there is symbolism that shows through the actions of Phoenix Jackson, the main character, going through obstacles that in some way represent her struggles to achieve her goal of the story.

  The short story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, is a descriptive story of a grandmother's difficult journey, for a grandson she loves. Her devotion to her grandson and wanting to provide him with a better lifestyle, was her motivation to overcome these trials. On this trip, Phoenix Jackson, the grandmother, struggles against old age, nature, and reality.

“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty leaves the reader with not only a strong opinion of a heroic grandmother, but also with the curiosity if the life of a loved one is nonexistent. After thoroughly being questioned, Welty came to the conclusion that the beloved grandson was envisioned to be alive, but a reader is aloud to perceive it however they desire. Through context clues, imagery, and direct quotes the idea of the mysterious grandson being dead seems to be the most logical concept.

2011080257 尹珠英 Book Review---- “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty The author, Eudora Welty was an award winning American author who wrote short stories and novels about the American South. Her first short story appeared in 1936, and gradually she began to e published in small, then regional and general circulation magazines. She published collections of her short stories and began publishing novels as well.