In the short story, “A Worn Path”, Eudora Welty uses symbolism to tell the story of Phoenix Jackson’s determination and resilience in life. Welty’s story depicts the journey of a black woman as she walks a path she has walked numerous times in her life. During Phoenix’s trek she is faced with several experiences that could have warranted her to abandon her mission. The first experience, in my opinion, was during the first portion of her trip; to which she states, “something always take a hold of me on this hill- pleads I should stay” (Kirszner & Mandell, 2012, p. 388). After crossing the thorny path and over a log on the creek, Phoenix sets down to rest and imagines a boy bringing her a piece of marble cake.
In the story “A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson was an old African American women. She takes a small journey that can be an allegory of someone's whole life. The journey had hard and easy parts, beauty, danger, and confusion. But her quest was to get the medicine for her sick grandson who laid at home waiting for her return. Phoenix was a delusional yet heroic, caring grandmother who would stop at nothing to get what she needed.
The excerpt begins by stating, “It was December—a bright frozen day in the early morning.” This shows that Phoenix’s journey is not an easy one; it’s cold outside and early in the morning. Phoenix continues on the path up a hill. While she is walking along the path, she thinks, “There is chains about my feet, time I get this far.” These chains immediately portray thoughts of slavery, which would cause one to think of endurance. While walking up the path, Phoenix has had to overcome obstacles while it seems like death is in the form of chains around her feet. Even so, she continues onward to freedom.
In the short story “A Worn Path” author Eudora Welty creates a character who seems to be suffering from hallucinations and must embark on a long and challenging journey to obtain one thing, medicine. The story takes place in late December as she goes through nature to get into town and meets some interesting people along the way. The main character is an african american who goes by the name of Phoenix Jackson and while her age is never revealed we can assume she is quite old. If I had to characterize Phoneix i would say that she is disrespected. When Phoneix arrived to the medical center she was treated rather poorly by the attendant who said “ A charity case, I suppose,” and to “ Speak up, Grandma”,”.
Blurred Reality In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, the main protagonist, Phoenix Jackson, experiences a series of obstacles along her journey to get a needed medication for her grandson, being held back by delusions, and the restrictions of nature. The author uses an abundance of symbolism to create an emblematic explanation for the occurrences experienced by Phoenix on her trek to town. While on her way to town, she experiences hallucinations and rough paths, causing her to be temporarily set back. Her past, which is hinted as the past of a slave, creates a safety harness of delusions causing a division between two realities: One that is average and realistic, and the other that is imaginary and almost childlike. In her average reality, Phoenix is an elder lady who can not bend down to tie her shoes and shoelaces ,”...which dragged from her unlaced shoes.” Phoenix hints in this story of her slavery when the hunter ,“lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix.” and she just stands
A Discussion of Three Messages From Eudora Welty’s Worn Path A worn path symbolizes exploration, ongoing determination and power. Eudora Welty was a woman who wrote stories about people living during the Great Depression. “During the Depression, Welty nearly became a professional photographer”(Barrett hathcock). In Welty’s Worn Path, a character named Phoenix Jackson encompases these three traits. As Albert Einstein States, “A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.” Phoenix is a perfect example of a woman living out of herself.
In Eudora Welty’s short story, “A Worn Path,” she illustrates the trials and tribulations a Christian will face on life 's journey to heaven. She tells a story of an old African American woman traveling across town to get medicine for her grandson that was very sick. Her grandson swallows lye, which is a pun in itself on the word lie and how even as Christians there are still times of struggle. Phoenix Jackson the main character in the short story is a little old woman that is symbolized as a Christian that struggles on her path. The timing of the story has a significance in the Christian community.
In the work, “A Worn Path, “Welty has developed a short story that uses characterization, symbolism, imagery, and conflict in a hero’s journey. Phoenix says “Thorn bushes and barbed-wire fences, log bridges and hills are major barriers for her.” (Welty, Edora 2/5) As Phoenix pursues this heroic challenge she acknowledges the temptation and fear built in her crossing a deep forest in the health condition she is found in. Welty gives the character the willingness having an ambition to conquer her journey. Upon many other Phoenix Jackson was well aware of what she was approaching making her build fear. However crossing the first threshold of overcome the first obstacle in the journey Phoenix acknowledges her hero’s journey has just yet begun.
In the story, “A Worn Path,” it is clear there is a lot of underlying meaning related to Christian values. Although the story doesn’t directly talk about the main character, Phoenix, being a Christian in any way, there are moments where she does have Christian values. This leads readers to believe that the author intended the story to have more than just a surface level meaning. The connection of a Christian worldview is evident in the way Phoenix has a selfless concern for her grandson, representing the true spirit of giving and self-sacrifice, and also the fact the story is set on a “worn path,” Phoenix experiences hardships much like how being a Christian isn’t always a clear path to follow. Firstly, Phoenix has always had a selfless concern for her grandson.
It could be defined as a wound, due to the fact that it indirectly harms her, as she’ll be sad if she forgets to get the medicine for his grandson, considering he may die. All of these events in the story may or may not define Phoenix Jackson as a hero, however it does show that she is a very brave, and loving grandmother, which is almost as important as if she were a middle-aged man with superpowers. Phoenix’s adventure throughout the story shows that she is strong and bound to complete her task at hand. The events of the story provide the readers with a sense of suspense while also telling a wonderful story, whether it’s a true story or