When Mystical Creatures Attack By Kathleen Founds

Through Phoenix’s journey, mythology is included again. Phoenix’s journey begins in “December, a bright frozen day in the early morning” (Welty 1). “She is equated with the morning, the rising sun, for she is the immortal bird which rises from its own ashes as the sun rises, and dies only to be reborn” (Ardolino 2). Eudora does not stop with the opening paragraph to incorporate the old legend. “After Phoenix’s arduous journey into town, she arrives at the charity ward where she is to obtain the medicine for her grandson, and there she saw nailed up on the wall the document that had been stamped with the gold seal and framed in the gold frame, which matched the dream that was hung up in her head. In this office Phoenix stands, a fixed and ceremonial stiffness over her body” (Jones 5). “Obviously like the embodiment of the original Egyptian sun-god that flew home every five hundred years, this Mississippi

The vision of the young boy serving marble cake is seen through a pearly cloud is “acceptable” (Rogers, 96) yet the hand Phoenix reaches out in acceptance grasps nothing, it is empty leaving “just her own hand in the air”. (Roberts, 96). David Piwinski described this as a reference to Phoenix as “Christ-like” and a reminder of “Christmas”. (40) Others explain this as a vision of her dead or alive grandson (Bartel, 288-290) or a reference to the “metamorphosis from a sturdy tree…from which Christ’s cross was built… to a parasitic shrub.” (Evans, as quoted in Piwinski, 41)

for her grand child with lye poisoning. Along the way she encounters several obstacles. Welty throughout the story the author makes several points to connect this work to other famous works of literature to strengthen her character without directly doing so. The author uses imagery to recreate famous parts of The Bible also the main character's name, Phoenix Jackson is a reference to the mystical bird the phoenix which is a symbol for rebirth. Phoenix Jackson symbolically is reborn several times throughout the story. The stories title and main plot point is the path she walks which holds many similarities to the path of life.

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

Phoenix also symbolizes a mythical bird; she has “the regenerative qualities of the bird are seen in Phoenix’s determination each time she suffers a setback,” Like the bird how it gets reborn again Phoenix keeps on getting up from the challenges and keeps on going just like getting reborn again. That is why the author named the main character Phoenix because she is like the mythical bird the phoenix in many ways even the description of Phoenix gives symbolism of her being like the bird. Phoenix wears a red rag to tie her hair and running underneath her skin “a golden color” [welty1274]. The image of the bird is shown in Phoenix’s face “the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark” [Welty 1274]. Her golden tone skin represents the fiery golden red feathers the bird has.

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).

Several centuries ago, for most, Christianity was becoming very widespread. Although there are a number of religions to choose from, most have a few features in common. One example might be the belief in the Devil. People thought that the Devil could grant evil powers to specific people. The European craze was finally winding down and local towns like Salem were just getting started. In 1692, a woman named Tituba admitted to having the Devil himself come to her by saying “The Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” Eventually,

With the first name of Phoenix, Ms. Welty is showing the symbol of a Greek mythological bird that could live to be one hundred to one thousand years. The old phoenix dies in a pile of ashes, much like the ashes used to make lye, only to reemerge a new magnificent, colorful bird, to live another cycle of life (Wikipedia). Much like the bird, Phoenix Jackson has a red rag around her head, a wrinkled face with yellow illuminating skin, ringlets hanging from her hair, a striped dress, and a bleached sugar sack apron (Welty). In addition, similar, her age, like the bird, Phoenix is aged but wise, likely close to one hundred years, reemerges back to life once she received the medicine her grandson needed. Even the last name of Jackson is likely to be a symbol of a Doctor, who according to an essay by Melisa D. Stang, “Parting the Curtain on Lye Poisoning in “A Worn Path,”” was named Chevalier

The function of religion plays a significant role in the narrative, especially the dissimilarities between the narrator's religious beliefs and the "Other" religion of her captors. More specifically the Puritan ideology of the

Phoenix Jackson in Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" has been compared to the mythological phoenix because of her birdlike qualities, and it's also been noticed that Phoenix possesses many of the same characteristics as Christ. But, what hasn't been addressed is the fact that Eudora Welty didn't just leave the symbolism to Christ alone. Welty also included many biblical allusions as well. Phoenix Jackson is not only symbolic of the mythological bird that rose from the ashes of its own demise or simply a Christ figure comparable to the Son of God, but she is also a biblical hero facing temptation and trials along her journey and succeeds unharmed and steadfast in her faith.

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.

The flying eagle is another symbol in this film that has been exclusively embraced. The bird first appears to Molly and her mother at the beginning of the movie. Her grandma points towards the bird and says to Molly, “See that bird? That’s a spirit bird; he will always look after you.” This scene shows the bird importance to the Aboriginal. The bird gave Molly the courage to escape Moore River. While in

The influence of religion on the plot is that religion spurs on both sides, who both believe that they are doing something worth fighting for. Holly, with the help of her husband, a man who abducted and killed children, confessed to “waging a war on God,” because of their son's death. In their mind, by committing these crimes, they were getting back at God for their loss. Dover on the other hand, professes to be a man of God. As mentioned before, he prays and is a Christian.

When Phoenix had the encounter with the hunter, she managed to spot a nickel that fell out of his pocket. She devised a plan to get that nickel. As soon as that nickel hit the bottom of her pocket, a bird flew by. Phoenix took this as a sign that God was watching her.

In Christianity, God is the Supreme Being and is responsible for earthly lives. God has power over nature, human beings and demons. Therefore, the movie illustrates this fact when the girl’s family decided to consult a religious priest to handle the current issue. Previously, the priest was conducting a spiritual research in Iraq whereby he discovered an amulet that resembled or symbolized an evil spirit, which he had overpowered some time back (Blatty 133). The fact that the priest is a servant of God enabled the reverend to conquer the evil spirit. The discovery made the priest to realize that the demon was out to seek revenge. The movie explains the relevance of Christianity from the priest’s actions. Apparently, the priest used his religious conviction to drive out evil spirits in people and homes. Therefore, Christianity is the main religion discussed throughout the