Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

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.

Also during Phoenix’s encounter with the hunter, the reader and Phoenix face the possibility of her death at the hands of the hunter. Yet, even as the hunter tries to exercise his racial superiority and intimidation over Phoenix, she again never hesitates. When the hunter points his gun into Phoenix’s face her response is simply, “...I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done.” The hunter even threatens, “But you take my advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to you.” Phoenix’s answer is simply an unflinching, “I bound to go on my way, mister.” Again Phoenix symbolises the bird as she refuses to give in to even the

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.

The story is set in the woods of Mississippi near Natchez in the 1940’s. When Welty says, “She carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella.” it shows that people used what they had at hand. Old Phoenix Jackson had an apron made from old sugar sacks. In this era items were made to last or to be reused for a different application as opposed to the modern era where everything is disposable.

Today we will be talking about the different literary references used throughout Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path”. I will explain and decode different techniques used by the author throughout her story. The story is of an old southern African American woman, named Phoenix Jackson, making her way into to town to pick up her grandsons medication from the doctor’s office. But this is no normal old woman. She cannot see and is picking her way with a cane to make her way across a barrage of obstacles. Throughout her journey she comes upon different characters and situations, from these events we will draw our interpretations of the symbolism embedded within the tale.

“A Worn Path” tells of an elderly and frail black woman and of the hardships that she must overcome. Upon reading the story, you realize that there is more to the story than meets the eye. She faces many roadblocks along her way. Phoenix faces many dangerous obstacles along her way, for a person of her age. She faces racism from some of characters she meets along the way. Phoenix faces inferior treatment, as though she is nothing more than some insect to squash. This story is about not only her ‘journey’ to Natchez, but also about her journey through society and the struggle to overcome the dangers, being treated inferior, and the racism.

The grandson may be too young to realize what his grandmother is doing for his safety. The empowerment of love in this situation enables Phoenix to put aside her fatigue and to continue with her journey. This story made me believe that no matter what happens, Phoenix will hold her principles to make her journey.

During one of her challenges, Phoenix’s 5.brazenness is displayed when she faces a 6.haughty hunter. According to the narrator, “’Well, I scared him off that time,’ he said, and then he laughed and lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix. She stood straight and faced him. ‘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. He smiled, and shouldered the gun. ‘Well, Granny,’ he said, ‘you must be a hundred years old, and scared of nothing.’” (Welty 854). Her courageous attitude appears when she boldly stands up for herself and does not back down (Adv. 3). During this time, Phoenix is ridiculed in different ways by whites that seem detrimental and rude. In one section of the text, “’Speak up, Grandma,’ the woman said. ‘What's your name? We must have your history, you know. Have you been here before? What seems to be the trouble with you?’ Old Phoenix only gave a twitch to her face as if a fly were bothering her. ‘Are you deaf?’ cried the attendant” (Welty 855). Phoenix 7.apathetically takes the comment from the woman who called her 8.archaic, but does not retaliate; this proves that she is not temperamental, but patient (Adj. Phrase 2). Phoenix’s selflessness appears as she takes the journey for the grandson. In the story, “’She doesn't come for herself—she has a little grandson. She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork’” (Welty 855). This reveals that she would risk her well-being for him, thus taking the rough journey frequently. These developments indicated in Phoenix Jackson’s character all came from the same source: her determination to help and the love for her

The journey is in a way self-reflection of what one is in their journey, sometimes life is a journey, and there are people in this journey who may help you or make you go through hell through this journey. In this journey, there is the revelation of truth and determination. There is the feeling of want and the ignorance of the beings in every way that they can. The persistence in the journey of phoenix is what makes her be recognized as a strong woman and as such a true lover of other people. She goes through the trouble to get help for the suffering grandson. This plays a major in her journey. Her perseverance to the tortures and mistreatment, the tire of her weak bones as she journeys through the worn path and in her final destination she is treated badly as a charity case, and she can persevere such treatment all for the sake of another person in her life that she cares

She walks to town seemingly without any reason, and only remembers when the nurse asks her about her grandson. (Welty 392). If Phoenix’s grandson was her reason to go to town, then why did she not mention him earlier in the story. It is odd that she does not remember something that important to her. When asked about her grandson Phoenix “waited and stared straight ahead” (Welty 392).

In the story, Phoenix is an elderly lady with the beginning stages of dementia. Yet, she is making her way through the woods on a cold December morning. We do not yet know why though. She clearly is having difficulty getting over the hills and branches yet, she trudges on. “Something always take a hold of me on this hill- pleads I should stay.” (213). Her body can barely make the journey and it is almost like the hill is telling her to rest. It is as if something stronger than her is compelling her forward. At one point she gets caught in a thorn bush and struggles to free herself and after doing so she has to rest because of the physical strain it took her. “But she sat down to rest.” (214). She does not want to waste time but, she is forced to rest so that she may finish her path.

Welty writes, “With her hands on her knees, the old woman waited, silent, erect, and motionless, just as if she were in armor” (318; 85). However, Phoenix manages to regain her senses after a few minutes, explaining to the nurses, “It was my memory had left me. There I sat and forgot why I made my long trip” (318; 88). She continually takes her personal shortcomings in stride and has an obvious wit about her, which she uses to her advantage. When she is offered some pennies by an attendant, Phoenix instantly replies, “[f]ive pennies is a nickel” (319; 100). The quick thinking earns her some additional money and allows her to purchase a gift for her grandson. Despite being elderly and often forgetful, Phoenix persists in her journey with experienced fortitude.

Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" is a story that emphasizes the natural symbolism of the

        Along with struggling against her old age Phoenix Jackson had many elements of nature holding her back from helping her grandson. She had to travel very far to reach the hospital for his medicine. On her way she encountered many elements of wildlife, of which she scared out of her path. Her dress was constantly caught in the brush and was in danger of being ruined as she passed a barbed wire fence. This also took place during Christmas time when it more than likely was extremely cold out side. But Phoenix's desire to help her grandson, and save his life, while also preserving some life of her own, helped her strive in completing this trip.