Overcoming obstacles In the short story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty the protagonist Phoenix must overcome many diverse types of obstacles in order to acquire the medicine that she needs for her grandson. She must triumph over physical, emotional, and mental obstacles on her lengthy journey into town. These varying obstacles all hindered her progress, but in the end she was able to prevail over them due to her perseverance, determination and love for her family. The main cause of her motivation came from knowing that she was the sole individual that her grandson could rely on for a reprieve from his lye poisoning symptoms.
On her excursion into town Phoenix must rise above multiple physical obstacles. Her old age and partial blindness play are a major contributing factor in the difficulties of her journey (461). She must walk with a cane and can scarcely see the path before her (463). Even though she has walked this path many times before, she …show more content…
For example, upon arriving at the doctor’s office, she neglects to remember why she had even made the trip and states "My grandson. It was my memory had left me. There I sat and forgot why I made my trip"(466). In addition, another mental obstacle she must prevail over is that she does not have a formal education because she was too old to attend school at the time of the end of the civil war (466). Another problem that she faces is that she shows signs of dementia and has hallucinations. Upon crossing the log she sits to rest and thinks that a little boy brings her slice of cake. Additionally while on the journey she talks to herself aloud often, which many people would think is a sign of being crazy. Even with all these mental deficiencies, she is still able to prevail on her journey. Again confirming the fact that she would not let anything stand in her way of accomplishing her
On her excursion into town Phoenix must rise above multiple physical obstacles. Her old age and partial blindness play are a major contributing factor in the difficulties of her journey (461). She must walk with a cane and can scarcely see the path before her (463). Even though she has walked this path many times before, she …show more content…
For example, upon arriving at the doctor’s office, she neglects to remember why she had even made the trip and states "My grandson. It was my memory had left me. There I sat and forgot why I made my trip"(466). In addition, another mental obstacle she must prevail over is that she does not have a formal education because she was too old to attend school at the time of the end of the civil war (466). Another problem that she faces is that she shows signs of dementia and has hallucinations. Upon crossing the log she sits to rest and thinks that a little boy brings her slice of cake. Additionally while on the journey she talks to herself aloud often, which many people would think is a sign of being crazy. Even with all these mental deficiencies, she is still able to prevail on her journey. Again confirming the fact that she would not let anything stand in her way of accomplishing her