Essay on A Worn Path and The Jilting of Granny Weatherall

A Worn Path by Eudora Welty is a short story about an elderly women- Phoenix Jackson and who is taking a long journey though the woods into town to acquire medicine for her sick grandson. On her way she encounters many obstacles such as the thorns in which her dress got caught in, barbed wire, a scarecrow, a large dog, a hunter and the lady, which ties her shoes. All of these obstacles among her dementia and hallucinations, which are implied throughout the story, delay her from reaching town. Throughout the story the reader can perceive that her grandson has already died, however due to her dementia she has trouble remembering. A Worn Path by Eudora Welty is a metaphor for people in this world that use the “worn path” instead

In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the main character, Phoenix Jackson, demonstrates old-age, fearlessness, and persistency. She shows real love and compassion for her sick grandson by traveling a long journey from the country to the city to get him medicine. Most would give up on such a tedious a journey. Though having multitudes of obstacles, she never gives up. Jackson’s relentlessness behavior represents her endurance as an elderly black woman in the 1940’s.

Most people accomplish difficult tasks with support systems such as family or friends. Phoenix knows she is alone in the world to care for her grandson. This knowledge of solitude makes Phoenix’s mission all the more difficult. The incident with the white hunter along her travel also demonstrates Jackson’s determination. As stated by Dennis Sykes, “Phoenix realizes that the importance of the trip far exceeds the possible harm that can be done to her brittle frame”(151). Phoenix’s ability to stare down possible bodily harm all for the sake of her grandson’s wellbeing demonstrates her heroic determination. By overcoming adversity, Phoenix’s determined character is revealed very well.

Phoenix shows determination by getting by all of these obstacles and getting to town. Her determination to get to town shows that she would not let anything get in the way of something she knows she must do.

A Worn Path by Eudora Welty and The Jilting of Granny Weatherall by Katherine Anne Porter are short stories written in the twentieth century. The main characters in both stories were motivated by love and perseverance to keep going and never give up. Phoenix Jackson is likened to the Mythological Phoenix bird that dies at an old age and is then reborn in ashes. Phoenix Jackson is an elderly woman who is travels a lot just to accomplish one goal. She overcame a lot of obstacles and she never gave up and she always stood up for herself. Katherine’s The Jilting of Granny Weatherall also has Granny Weatherall as the main character who is portrayed to be in denial and also very sick on her deathbed.

Within every person lies a will and a flame of strength to achieve any goal, or conquer any obstacle in life. In Eudora Welty 's "A Worn Path", her main protagonist, Mrs. Phoenix Jackson, perfectly displays the strength that a human possess. Despite being of old age, poor and out of shape, Mrs. Jackson 's strength defies these odds on the worn path that she walks daily. Human strength is abundant in "A Worn Path", as the author shows the reader the reason why mankind is so strong. Welty demonstrates that love is what makes Mrs. Jackson, and everyone else, strong enough to move mountains. The strength of Mrs. Jackson exceeds more than normal, due to the condition of her beloved grandson, so much that not pain, death, or pride can kindle the fire of her strength.

The short story “A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty, reveals the life of a poor, old Negro woman living in Natchez, Mississippi during the 1930’s. The protagonist, Phoenix Jackson, lives alone with the exception of her ill grandson out in the country. Throughout the story Phoenix Jackson travels the same difficult journey to town. In “A Worn Path” the author, Eudora Welty, utilizes setting and symbolism to illustrate the character’s perseverance and endurance throughout her life.

The short stories, “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Catherine Anne Porter and “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, have many similarities as well as differences. Both stories have a simple plot with a theme that is symbolic of their lives. These stories include great characterization, description of elements in the stories, and the point of view.

The mental obstacles Phoenix faces are terrifying. Along her path into town, her own mind tricks her into seeing many objects and figures that are not physically present. She knows the trip into town will be long and tiresome, but her mind overcomes her well-being and tricks her into making up things that would distract her from her ultimate goal. Phoenix

She runs the risk of having that barbwire slash though her dress and cut her back to pieces. , if she was to get caught going under that fence, the consequences she faced could have been death. The obstacles on the path to Natchez were dangerous and Phoenix could have suffered serious injury. Any kind of injury suffered out in the open and alone like she was in the middle of the winter could have resulted in death. However, it is in the end that the reader sees just how precious her journey is and for the lover of her grandson moves Phoenix to town. It is the same type of unfair obstacles that Phoenix must have dealt with her entire life. Yet she made it through them all un-harmed and her spirit still intact.

Women have been heroic and courageous throughout history, though not all of these heroic (or courageous) adventures have been shown in any way.  Some of women’s heroic and courageous adventures are portrayed through short stories, books, and movies.  Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path,” Barbara Kingsolver’s book The Bean Trees, Louisa May Alcott’s book Little Women, Zora Neale Hurston’s story “How It Feels To Be Colored Me,” and the movie “The Piano” all show women going through their own amazing and heroic adventures.  In these stories, the authors and director share with the reader (and watcher) the

A: The setting of “A Worn Path” creates meaning by showing how much Ms. Phoenix goes through to get the medication for her grandson. the story opens on December, even though does not mention, but it is Christmas time with an environment of love and gift-giving. The setting of the story is important because it shows the obstacles, limitations, problems, and incidents that African Americans faced back then in the depression era society, and in American society in the old South Who is Phoenix? A:in the story, Phoenix is the main character and heroine.

Phoenix also encounters numerous physical obstacles between her and her goal. Shortly after setting out, she becomes entangled in an obstinate bush. She fights what appears to be a losing battle. As Welty describes it, “Her fingers were busy and intent, but her skirts were full and long, so that before she could pull them free in one place they were caught in another” (315; 8). Phoenix seems to maintain a good attitude as she begins to talk to the bush: “Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush” (315; 8). As she does with all of her other challenges, she

Phoenix Jackson is crossing the threshold when she leaves the safety of her home to the dangerous forest. She specifically said, “Out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, Jack rabbits, coons, and wild animals!”. Proving that she might encounter hazards that could hurt her. This is more difficult than usual because of her elderly age and physical disabilities. For example, when she complains about how, “My sense is gone. I too old”. She is complaining about how her eyesight has been failing her more and more because of her age.

There are many obstacles Phoenix overcomes that proves herself a hero. One is the daunting hill. ‘Something always take a hold of me on this