Phoenix Jackson In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

When one is reading the short story, A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty, he or she begins to wonder why Welty chose the name, Phoenix, for her main character. As many people know, a phoenix stems from “the Egyptian myth about a bird which renews itself periodically from its own ashes” (Bartel). Considering the age and state of Phoenix Jackson, she seems like the least person to relate to the vibrant bird-like phoenix. However, Phoenix Jackson and a phoenix have a lot in common. Eudora Welty named her main character in A Worn Path, Phoenix, because she is strong and resembles a phoenix, she rises again, and she also makes a healing journey like the mythical phoenix. At first glance, Phoenix Jackson in A Worn Path, seems like a feeble old woman, but when one starts to read more about her, one begins to realize the similarities between her and a phoenix. To begin, Phoenix slightly even resembles a phoenix, despite her dark complexion. According to the myth, the phoenix is quite beautiful with the colors of gold, yellow, …show more content…
The myth of the phoenix is that not only does it experience rebirth, but that the phoenix travels long, long distances to heal individuals with its tears. Now, not only is Phoenix Jackson traveling on a journey like the phoenix, but she is also traveling on a healing journey. The whole reason behind Phoenix’s trip to the town is to get medicine for her sick grandson. She puts herself at risk and danger, just to help out the one she loves. “No, missy, he not dead, he just the same. Every little while his throat begin to close up again, and he not able to swallow. He not get his breath. He not able to help himself. So the time come around, and I go on another trip for the soothing medicine” (A Worn Path). “Somewhat similarly, Phoenix is the designated protector of another worthy innocent, like the mythical phoenix”