Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

Most people today when things get tough in a certain situation they give up, but it is always inspiring and influential to hear that someone preserved. The story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, is a fantastic example. An old woman named Phoenix Jackson makes her way along a treacherous path. She travels through this path with one goal in mind, that goal being to help her grandson get medicine for his sickness. This path was not easy for her and she came across many hardships. The theme of “A Worn Path” is regardless of the challenges a person is faced with perseverance and consistency is always key to being successful in a journey, life or relationship and an analysis of an internal conflict, a symbol of nature, altercations with an antagonist, …show more content…
Along Phoenix's journey there are many symbols, the most repetitive symbol were was that of birds. These symbols really shed light on the emotions and struggle Phoenix prevails through. The Phoenix is a bird, from ancient mythology, the mythological bird is able to rise from its own ashes to begin another cycle of life. Also the bird has the ability to heal. The old woman's name suggests her timelessness and the fact that she can never be suppressed, even by people who would try to break her down. “Her name was Phoenix Jackson . . . she carried a thin, small cane . . . this made a grave and persistent noise in the still air, that seemed meditative like the chirping of a solitary little bird” (167). Wetly’s comparison of the sound of a bird to the sound phoenix’s cane makes, hints to the reader that these sounds are one and phoenix is the embodiment of the bird. Another bird seen is the buzzard. When the buzzard is seen in literature it usually mean death or bad news. Phoenix changes this perceived image for example “There sat a buzzard” ‘Who you watching?’” (169) She never gave into the creepy behavior of the bird sitting. She is not afraid of it, instead she demands to know “Who you watching?” This directly shows her consistency and power in her travels. The path she is on is for her grandson to get the medication he needs for …show more content…
Throughout this intense journey phoenix comes into crossroads with many antagonist, one in particular that is extremely significant, between her and the white hunter. The way that she handles these situations drafts any doubt that she will not succeed in her path. Along her path she encounters a white hunter he is adamant that she must return home. He doubts her ability to make it all the way. He makes a sarcastic and racial comment saying “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see santa claus!” (171) He is doubting the benefits of her trip, the assumption that she is just going to see santa claus shows how prejudice he is towards her. The best reaction she gave to him was no reaction, he can say what he wants things of that nature do not phase Phoenix. In addition he relays that his journey is more important than hers. Little does he know that a nickel had fallen out of his pocket. The hunter continues his disrespecting tone “ . . . [laughing] and [lifting] his gun and [points] it at Phoenix. ‘Doesn’t that scare you?’ . . . ‘No sir, i seen plenty go off closer by in my day’” (171). Phoenix stands completely still, she is a defenseless old lady. She alludes directly to slavery violence against blacks, which has no affect on the hunter. He has no sympathy for Phoenix having seen innocent