In the short story, A Worn Path, the use of a literary device such as the symbol of ageism is one way in which the author, Eudora Welty, successfully described the main character, Phoenix Jackson. All throughout the short story, there are many examples of how Old Phoenix is depicted as an aging person who is near the end of her life. Although one is left to interpret our own ideas of what Phoenix Jackson represents, the strongest example of her would be her aging. Throughout the entire story, pretty much anyone that knows the main character, Phoenix Jackson, calls her by the name of “Granny” or “Grandma.” Even if the person did not even know who the old lady was, he or she still referred to her by the name of Granny. The man with the gun
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With the modernization and industrialization of the United States, there are countless occasions that happen on a daily basis where elderly people are treated with disrespect or do not get the attention that they deserve. For example, in the U.S., disability rights are not looked at as strongly as they should. In addition, many elderly people searching for even part time jobs are sometimes overlooked due to the demand for younger generation workers (McClure). This can tie back into the story, A Worn Path, due to the fact that Phoenix was not nearly treated with the respect that she deserved. She was basically told to go home by the man on the path in the forest. The lady in the city snapped at her when Phoenix asked her to tie her shoes. Following that, the nurse at the doctor’s office had a few snide remarks to say to Phoenix. Overall, the idea that a lot of people overlook the aging of the elderly does not mean that they have less worth than another person. Throughout the entirety of the short story, Welty uses many examples that show how ageism has affected the lives of many people and also to develop her main character in the story, Phoenix Jackson. From how people refer to her, the language Phoenix herself uses, and the way people treated her had a lot to do with ageism. Welty did an explicit job of using many elements and examples in her text to bring out her character and by showing symbolism helped to develop her character in many ways that can be variously
With the modernization and industrialization of the United States, there are countless occasions that happen on a daily basis where elderly people are treated with disrespect or do not get the attention that they deserve. For example, in the U.S., disability rights are not looked at as strongly as they should. In addition, many elderly people searching for even part time jobs are sometimes overlooked due to the demand for younger generation workers (McClure). This can tie back into the story, A Worn Path, due to the fact that Phoenix was not nearly treated with the respect that she deserved. She was basically told to go home by the man on the path in the forest. The lady in the city snapped at her when Phoenix asked her to tie her shoes. Following that, the nurse at the doctor’s office had a few snide remarks to say to Phoenix. Overall, the idea that a lot of people overlook the aging of the elderly does not mean that they have less worth than another person. Throughout the entirety of the short story, Welty uses many examples that show how ageism has affected the lives of many people and also to develop her main character in the story, Phoenix Jackson. From how people refer to her, the language Phoenix herself uses, and the way people treated her had a lot to do with ageism. Welty did an explicit job of using many elements and examples in her text to bring out her character and by showing symbolism helped to develop her character in many ways that can be variously