A Worn Path

His grandmother is the only relative he has left, and she makes the trip to town to receive medicine that soothes the pain. There has been no change in his condition, Phoenix tells the nurse, he sits with his "mouth open like a little bird." She also says that though he suffers, he has "a sweet look." Though Phoenix says he is not dead, some critics have theorized that he is. The Hunter The hunter encounters Phoenix after she has fallen into a ditch, the unfortunate result of an encounter with one of his dogs. He helps her up, demonstrating his willingness to assist a person in need. But his subsequent conversation with her reveals his disrespect for her and biased attitudes towards African Americans in general. When he learns that she intends to walk to town, he assumes Phoenix is not able to make the long journey and he tells her to go home; he has no qualms about issuing the order. But when she persists, he relents, assuming that the only reason "old colored people" would embark on such a long trail would be to see Santa Claus. In a second instance of disrespect, he tells Phoenix that he would give her a dime if he had one, unaware that Phoenix has already picked up the nickel that fell out of his pocket. In a third example, he points a gun at her face and asks if it scares her. He is amused by the fact that it does not, further emphasizing his insensitivity. Throughout the conversation, he refers to her as "Granny," as the other

Phoenix Jackson and The Young Man embarked on their journeys for different reasons. Phoenix’s journey was a necessary journey; her grandson needed the medicine in order to be healthy. She took the journey because of her sense of responsibility and love for her grandson. Like any grandmother,

Although Phoenix Jackson is old, tired, dirty, and poor, nothing can stand in her way. In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix jumps off the page as a vibrant protagonist full of surprises as she embarks on a long, arduous journey to

In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the character Phoenix Jackson is introduced. Phoenix Jackson is an uneducated, African-American woman without any family besides her sick grandson. Phoenix is the hero of this story and fits the role well by delivering much-needed medicine to her grandson. Phoenix shows many distinct traits that reveal her to be a hero to her grandson. The heroic feats she accomplishes pave a path that leads to her satisfaction as well as protection of her most beloved asset, her grandson. Throughout the story, Phoenix’s humble, caring, and determined character is displayed through her actions.

“ A Worn Path” is by Eudora Welty.. There’s a lot of conflict with Phoenix Jackson. She had two disabilities, but that she doesn’t stop her. Phoenix Jackson is a hero in Eudora Welty A Worn Path.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu Human history has been shaped by the two most powerful forces of nature: love and hate. There are plenty of real or fictional stories written about them. But love has had the most remarkable and positive impact on our history, because love represents kindness and compassion towards others. When we analyze the following quote: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage,” it tells us that love fuels determination, selflessness, bravery, and perseverance.

Consequently, Welty uses characterization to bring out the true intentions of Phoenix Jackson. It is unlike any characterization before. The physical and psychological descriptions of Phoenix Jackson contribute to her the overall character. Each detail about her gives a better and deeper understanding. Making her a relatable figure in the minds of the readers. Phoenix Jackson is first introduced walking in the forest towards town. She is described as “her eyes blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead”(91). This gives the visualization that Ms. Jackson has had a long and possibly difficult life. Throughout the story when Ms. Jackson talks it is clear that she is uneducated. Giving that “I never did go to school, I was too old at the Surrender”(96). This brings light to Ms. Jackson’s psychological state.

Phoenix is one of those greatly loving and caring parents who make all their decisions with their child in

Phoenix Jackson, the main character, is a small, old African American woman who goes on a journey for a purpose that is unknown at the beginning of the story. Although Phoenix has made this trip many times, something is different about this trip. Throughout her journey, Phoenix faces many obstacles and hardships. The author uses symbolism and, later, gives the reader awareness of Phoenix’s character while, hopefully, teaching a lesson about life. In “A Worn Path”, Eudora Welty uses the symbols of the name “Phoenix”, life and death, and the main characters’ age throughout the story.

In the end we figure that Phoenix may be on a journey that really does not exist. We find out that maybe the grandson isn’t alive and that he has been dead for weeks. Whether or not Phoenix was aware she did not let life bring her down, whatever she was set to do she did and with great perseverance she has achieved her goal.

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.

Through the character of Phoenix Jackson in “A Worn Path” Welty produces a picture of an aging African-American woman in the Jim Crow South. In “A Worn Path” we learn of the hardships Jackson faces on her weekly journey for medicine to sooth the pain of her grandson. Welty conveys this these hardships by giving the reader insight into the physical health, the mental health, and the socio-economic status of Jackson.

In “A Worn Path” colors are used to emphasize the depth and breadth of the story, and to reinforce the parallel images of the mythical phoenix and the protagonist Phoenix Jackson. Eudora Welty’s story is rich with references to colors that are both illustrative and perceptive, drawing us in to investigate an additional historical facet of the story.

The author uses her characters, both human and animal, to exhibit the obstacles blacks must face in everyday life. Dennis J. Sykes agrees in his article, “A Critical Analysis of the Worn Path” that “Phoenix Jackson’s … encounters with other characters illustrates the theme of impending black equality and amalgamation in the south after Civil War” (np). The characters,

Eudora Welty introduces the character Phoenix Jackson in a way that illustrates that Phoenix is a person who endures forces of nature and society; and the meaning of her name is a large hint to the theme of endurance. William M. Jones introduces the idea that Phoenix is a reference to the “legendary bird” that is reborn throughout time; one that endures. In his literary critic, William M. Jones writes, “The references at the beginning of the story announce rather clearly that a comparison with the legendary bird is intended. The similarity becoming more pronounced as the story progresses.” The reference to the bird of endurance can be seen throughout the story, especially when the reader concludes that Phoenix does not remember why she is traveling the path. Her loss of memory is a reference to the Phoenix dying; and at the end of the story, Phoenix remembering her reason for the journey is a representation of being reborn.