Symbols In A Worn Path By Eudora Welty

Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path” is a short story about an old woman, Phoenix Jackson, going on a heroic journey to save her grandson’s life. Welty uses symbolism to develop the theme of family love Phoenix shows to her grandson. This Mississippi writer uses object, life, and christian symbols to backup the theme of love. Eudora Welty uses object symbols to support the theme of love. The first object symbol uses is life saving medicine. Phoenix’s grandson swallows lye in which makes it difficult to breathe, and impossible if not treated. Jean Shepherd Hamm says Phoenix Jackson makes a long and dangerous journey to “obtain the prize that will bring new life”. Isaacs says medicine is a symbol for “love and life”. Phoenix arrives at the doctors office and the nurse says, “‘She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork’” (492). This may be true but she still risk her life every time she makes this heroic journey to save her grandsons life. Welty uses the medicine as a very important object symbol to progress the theme of love. The second object symbol Welty uses is the cane. At the beginning of the story Phoenix carries a small, thin cane …show more content…
The first time Phoenix goes up the stairs is at the doctor’s office. Phoenix travels up the staircase “until her feet knew when to stop” (492). When Phoenix does reach the top of the staircase she sees the nailed up document on the wall with the gold frame which “matched the dream that was hung up in her head” (492). Roland Bartel believes at this time Phoenix knows that she reaches her destination (n.p.). When Phoenix is leaving the doctor’s office, she begins going down the staircase (493). Roland Bartel says that when Phoenix descends down the stairs it may suggest the “end of her hope, possibly the end of her life” (n.p.). Marilynn Keys says when phoenix goes down the staircase that “Love’s action is completed” (356). This staircase supports the theme of love very