Eudora Welty A Worn Path Analysis

“Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction. I got a long way.” (Welty, 2013, p.22). In Eudora Welty’s 1941 short fiction “A Worn Path,” the audience is introduced to an elderly woman called Old Phoenix. Phoenix faces a path that she has traveled many times to obtain some medicine for her grandson’s health. However, Phoenix comes across many obstacles and social forces that make her journey strenuous. Although, she always makes her way through the path to collect her grandson’s medicine, the stories audience is able to witness a woman who is strong and motivated enough to complete her mission, but appears weak with old age. Welty’s journey throughout life reflects Phoenix’s struggles and desire to overcome real-life hurdles. During a time of depression Phoenix is a black …show more content…
Throughout her journey she gets her dress caught in a thorny bush. She is being pushed and knocked over by the harsh winds. Phoenix also, finds herself forced to climb a barbed-wire fence and pushed in a ditch by a hunter’s dog. Welty’s description of Phoenix’s journey helps her audience envision the obstacles placed in the woman’s path, which helps the readers’ perspective of Phoenix’s motivations. Welty states, “Lifting her skirt, leveling her cane fiercely before her, like a festival figure in some parade, she began to march across.” (Welty, 2013, line 13). This tells Welty’s readers that Phoenix’s determination is greater than her fear of failing, which exemplifies her immortality. On the other hand, the readers are faced with Phoenix’s insecurities. After facing the climb of a tremendous hill Phoenix crosses a log with suspicion stating, “I wasn’t as old as I thought” (Welty, 2013, line 14). Phoenix has overcome many hurdles so far, but doubts her ability to accomplish them because of her