Symbolism in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty

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.

Not only is Phoenix selflessness she has endurance, in the article “A Worn Path” Analysis at Yahoo Inc. it explains that “she falls, gets back up and keeps on toward the goal of getting her grandson’ medicine”, even though she could have gotten killed she knew that her grandson needed her and she was the only one that could care for him. Nothing was going to stop her from getting to where she was going.

The mythological story "A Worn Path” is of tales and figures, the most considerable, being the legend of the phoenix. There are numerous symbols and allusions brought about in the story relating to the legend of the phoenix. The phoenix is a bird that comes from Egyptian mythology. The best analogy of the phoenix is a magnificent bird. The phoenix has astonishing powers. It has the knack to materialize and vanish in the blink of an eye. The myth states the phoenix travels to the sun. The sun gives the phoenix it powers. The heat incinerates the bird. The bird is reborn from the ashes. From her name along with appearance to her action and the symbolism throughout the story, Phoenix Jackson is the manifestation of the phoenix (bird).

Another example of the theme of determination in this short story is when Phoenix meets up with a young white hunter. She shows great determination as he tries to deter Phoenix from going to town, by him saying, “Now you go on home, Granny!” (3). Another way the hunter tries to deter Phoenix from her path is when he points the gun at Phoenix and asks her if she is scared. Phoenix shows great determination by standing her ground and not letting the hunter get to her. Her determination to get medicine for her grandson overpowers any fear that she might have

In paragraph 5 Welty said, “Seem like there is chains about my feet…” This is symbolic to Phoenix being a slave in her younger days. In the story Phoenix never reveals her age but it is known that she is old. She was most likely old enough to have been born as a slave and then freed as a young woman. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln enforced the Emancipation Proclamation which freed nearly three million slaves throughout the South.

Phoenix lived in a society where racism was still running strong. Yet she faced and dealt with that every day of her life. As an African-American slave, she would have toil in the fields, wondering if she would still be alive by the time the sun was setting. Phoenix is visible shaken with a run a scarecrow she believed to be a ghost. She says to image, "'Ghost,' she said sharply, 'who be you the ghost of? For I have heard of nary death close by” (Welty 24).Slave mothers would often show that same fear as they watched the shadows return from the field; wondering if their loved ones were still alive or was going to come home unharmed. Phoenix faced those same fears as a mother and grandmother. If Phoenix was caught in the

One of the most important objects in this story is the ancient phoenix it represents so many things that Phoenix Jackson represents. Michael J. Cummings declares that “Phoenix Jackson is like the mythical bird in that she rose from ashes of the civil war to lead a long long and apparently fruitful life.” (cummingsstudyguides) The phoenix bird sacrifices itself for others which in this case Phoenix Jackson is sacrificing herself for her grandson in which he will be the next phoenix. The marble cake represents racism, when blacks and whites tried getting along together. Michael J. Cummings points out that “When a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him. That would be acceptable. But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air.” (cummingsstudyguides) the marble cake is like when the hunter and herself met just like in her dream but did not exactly get along because just like the marble cake they were not quite there yet. The buzzard and scarecrow both represent death but

At the beginning of the story, Phoenix is described as “Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin has a pattern all of its own numberless branching wrinkles…” (1). This description helps to verify that Phoenix is very old and this will be a difficult trip for a woman of her age. Therefore it is with sheer determination that Phoenix faces another challenge--having to cross a creek by walking over a log. This activity is a difficult

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

including the white hunter and black dog, Phoenix runs into in the story represent different individuals of all colors which present obstacles in a person such as Phoenix’s life. When the hunter comes along, the author describes him as white. She could have left his color out of the description, but she obviously felt it important to mention to her

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

Phoenix is a symbol of a bird which lived so many years back in the

The Author, Eudora Welty, chose to tell it from this point of view because she wants the reader to notice a contrast in Phoenix when she finally reaches her destination in the city. In the country, Phoenix was in her element, talking to herself amongst the familiar landscape, familiarity with the path she has taken many times before, hence it being worn, and being unaffected by the antagonist, the hunter and his gun. In the city, she was just a charity case and did not feel herself. She even forgot momentarily why she was there in the first place. You can clearly see the structure of the story changed as soon as she entered the city, from being a courageous woman not afraid of whatever came her way, to a woman who needed help just tying her