Eudora Welty In A Worn Path

The definition of the mythical phoenix bird is often described with resurrection, victory over adversity, and that which rises out of the ashes to be born again (Welty 467). In Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path, Phoenix Jackson is a force to be reckoned with and carries such dire determination to succeed. Phoenix is on a long, exhausting journey to town to retrieve some medicine for her ailing grandson, however along the way she is faced with obstacles that try to prevent her from reaching her goal. Phoenix is a old, poor negro woman with ambitions that may be mocked at or looked down upon by the “white folks” however, even though Phoenix is faced with oppression she finds a way to be triumphant in a period of time that tries to keep her down. Phoenix is determined, fearless, humble, loving and will continue to wear down the path …show more content…
This act shows that Phoenix is humble at a time where she must ask for help, and wants to show herself acceptable to those who will give her the medicine for her grandson. As Phoenix makes her way into the office “there was a fixed ceremonial stiffness over her body” (Welty 465) as this journey was something she was accustomed to making numerous times she knew the role in which she must play in order to receive help for her grandson. Phoenix also experiences embarrassment when she forgets why she made the long journey to town, “I’m an old woman…it was my memory fail me.” (Welty 466). Phoenix has only one hope and that is that her grandson will get better and that he will live a full and healthy life, but the nurse helping Phoenix tells her, “it’s an obstinate case” (Welty 466) meaning that there is not much hope for the grandson to get better, but if Phoenix continues to make the journey for the medicine they will give it to her for her