Symbols In A Worn Path
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. She strangely replies “that would be acceptable” (Kirszner & Mandell, 2012, p. 388), which could imply that she would have accepted her death and defeat, but instead she presses forward in her trip. The second event occurs when she encounters the black dog on the path and ends up helpless in a ditch. As if the …show more content…
A Phoenix is said to be bright gold and red coloring like fire, likewise, Phoenix Jackson had gold running under her skin with a red rag tied on her head. Similarly, both the mythological Phoenix and Welty’s character had noticeably blue eyes. At one point in the story, Phoenix Jackson refreshes herself with sweet gum water, a favorite of the Phoenix bird. Lastly, after completing her mission, Phoenix taps her cane on the floor and states, “this is what comes to me to do” (Kirszner & Mandell, 2012, p.393). The mythological Phoenix, when completing its life, claps its wings together and begins the process of rebirth. By tapping her cane, Welty’s character could be signifying the rebirth of her renewed spirit in her purpose so she can face the long journey she must make
Perseverance In 'The Scorpio Races'
437 Words | 2 PagesThe phoenix represents the ability to rise from the ashes of defeat and overcome obstacles. This archetype is evident in both Sean and Puck's storylines. Sean has faced numerous setbacks in his life, including the death of his father and the loss of his mother's love. However, he refuses to give up and continues to persevere in his pursuit of victory in the Scorpio Races. Similarly, Puck has faced significant obstacles, including the death of her parents and the financial struggles of her family.
Three Artistic Tools Used In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
488 Words | 2 PagesIn the short story Welty’s want the reader to be comfortable with Phoenix as a character. Welty describes Phoenix wearing a long dress reaching her shoe top and a long apron of bleached sugar sacks. When Phoenix talks aloud to herself the author wants the reader to imagine an old woman with characteristics of a warm, comical, young spirited woman side of her. The short story also uses images which evoke from the biblical imagery. Phoenix’s uses biblical connection to show the reader how important her story and the
Metaphors In In Search Of Our Mother's Garden
854 Words | 4 PagesMetaphors are an influential piece to the literary world due to, “the process of using symbols to know reality occurs”, stated by rhetoric Sonja Foss in Metaphoric Criticism. The significance of this, implies metaphors are “central to thought and to our knowledge and expectation of reality” (Foss 188). Although others may see metaphors as a difficult expression. Metaphors provide the ability to view a specific content and relate to connect with involvement, a physical connection to view the context with clarity. As so used in Alice Walker’s literary piece, In Search Of Our Mothers’ Gardens.
Symbolism In Trethewey's Elegy
943 Words | 4 PagesThe Nature of Symbolism within Trethewey’s “Elegy” In this poem “Elegy,” Natasha Trethewey depicts the relationship between herself and her late father by means of a metaphor that carries throughout the entire poem. We see that an elegy is typically used to lament the dead, however the abstract language of this poem sends a more demining message. This connotative thought is exactly what Trethewey chooses to address through subliminal metaphors equipped with items typically used to destroy rather than build, along with symbolism that alludes to fighting adversity.
Obstacles In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
539 Words | 3 PagesYes, the journey is a great risk especially in her condition but Eudora shows how Phoenix’s spirit causes her to persevere in the face of adversity. In the end, Phoenix Jackson reached her destination and received the medicine for her grandchild. What starts out as a long quest filled with dangerous obstacles ends in a meaningful lesson for the readers’. Eudora Welty short story, “A Worn Path,” exemplifies what it means to persevere through any tribulations that stand in the way of your goals.
Theme Of Flight In Song Of Solomon
800 Words | 4 PagesIn Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the setting takes place near Lake Superior in Detroit, Michigan around the black community. The story revolves around the character Milkman who is born in a wealthy colored family. The motif of flight plays a significant role in Milkman’s action in his journey. The motif flight represents escape from one's life burdens, freedom and life. Throughout Milkman’s journey to become more independent, and learn his family history.
The Living Libraries In Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451'
1051 Words | 5 Pages“There was a silly damn bird called a Phoenix back before Christ, every few hundred years he built a pyre and burned himself up. He must have been the first cousin to Man. But every time he burnt himself up he sprang out of the ashes, he got himself born all over again. And it looks like we’re doing the same thing over and over, …” (Bradbury, 156) Granger brings this up to Montag to explain how the bird just continued to do the same thing again without it even being aware of it, because the bird knows that he will be able to be born again.
Symbolism In Julie Otsuka's When The Emperor
620 Words | 3 PagesWhen the Emperor was divine is a very interesting book. It explains the story of the WW1 internment camps from the point of view of the Japanese people and what they went through. It also includes many forms of symbolism that can completely change the story’s meaning. It also tries to imply how “American” the Japanese-American internees really were.
Fahrenheit 451 Response Essay
1944 Words | 8 PagesFinally, Granger says “Phoenix. There was a silly damn bird called a phoenix back before Christ, every few hundred years he built a pyre and burnt himself up. But every time he burnt himself up he sprang out of the ashes, he got himself born all over again. And it looks like we’re doing the same thing, over and over, but we’ve got one damn thing the phoenix never had. We know the damn silly thing we just did.
Literary Elements In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
526 Words | 3 PagesShe exemplifies Christ along her journey when she stops under a mistletoe tree; the same type of tree in which the cross was made. The thorns she encounters also relate to Christ’s death on the cross, the crown of thorns he wears on his head. The journey she takes to get her grandson’s medicine, is considered to be an example of self-sacrifice. Phoenix gives others the opportunity to help her and accomplish good things. One example is when the hunter helps her out of the ditch.
A Literary Analysis Of Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
678 Words | 3 PagesWelty illustrates Phoenix Jackson’s agitated journey through several meaningful symbols. These symbols assist to achieve that Phoenix Jackson’s journey was difficult but worth
Freedom In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
810 Words | 4 PagesThe 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.
Phoenix Symbolizes Rebirth In The Phoenix: Granger
60 Words | 1 PagesThe Phoenix: The Phoenix symbolizes rebirth. The Phoenix is known for rising from the ashes after being burned. In the story after the city has been destroyed, Granger compares the destruction to the bird. Both are destroyed and rise from the destruction. So if Granger and the others use their knowledge, they won’t be like the Phoenix and prevent destruction.
Racism In A Worn Path
883 Words | 4 PagesSome references even suggest Phoenix may have once been a slave; such as the chains the old woman feels on her feet as she climbs the path uphill. Racial inequality is unmistakably clear when the old woman falls in the ditch and is confronted by the white hunter. One would believe the hunter calling Phoenix Granny to be a harmless reference to her age; however, Granny is a term coined by southern whites in the thirties and forties and refers to a single elderly black woman: a granny is an old black woman who takes care of the white
A Worn Path Phoenix Jackson Character Analysis
738 Words | 3 PagesIn 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.
More about Symbols In A Worn Path
Perseverance In 'The Scorpio Races'
437 Words | 2 PagesThree Artistic Tools Used In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
488 Words | 2 PagesMetaphors In In Search Of Our Mother's Garden
854 Words | 4 PagesSymbolism In Trethewey's Elegy
943 Words | 4 PagesObstacles In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
539 Words | 3 PagesTheme Of Flight In Song Of Solomon
800 Words | 4 PagesThe Living Libraries In Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451'
1051 Words | 5 PagesSymbolism In Julie Otsuka's When The Emperor
620 Words | 3 PagesFahrenheit 451 Response Essay
1944 Words | 8 PagesLiterary Elements In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
526 Words | 3 PagesA Literary Analysis Of Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
678 Words | 3 PagesFreedom In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path
810 Words | 4 PagesPhoenix Symbolizes Rebirth In The Phoenix: Granger
60 Words | 1 PagesRacism In A Worn Path
883 Words | 4 PagesA Worn Path Phoenix Jackson Character Analysis
738 Words | 3 Pages