Phoenix Jackson in A Worn Path

In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path," Phoenix Jackson has a sick grandson. He is very ill and in need of medicine. Phoenix shows dedication throughout the story by going on a journey and getting the necessary medicine for her grandson despite the many obstacles along the way. She embodies the characteristics of a strong African American woman who faces challenges along her path. Phoenix Jackson is characterized throughout the story by her devotion, pride, and perseverance. One way, Phoenix Jackson is characterized is by her devotion. She is devoted to getting her grandson life-saving medicine. She says, “keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direct. I got a long way” (Welty pg. 1). This shows she was dedicated to her journey. Another way Phoenix is characterized by her devotion she was not scared of the hunter when he threatened her life. He “lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix. She stood straight and faced him” (Welty pg. 4). This shows her devotion and pride because she did not let the hunter scare her.…

again. Phoenix Jackson, in Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path” not only gives up all she has but her dignity as well. Phoenix Jackson is an elderly African-American woman who survived the cruelty of slavery before and during the Civil War. She is described as plain, wrinkled, and socially unimportant. When her grandson becomes ill after swallowing lye Phoenix Jackson travels to the doctor’s office in town from her house in the country on a regular basis to retrieve medicine for her…

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…

We all walk our own paths, although some paths are harder than others. In the story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson walks a path of devotion. Phoenix is an elderly black woman, and a devoted grandmother to her terminally ill grandson, who swallowed lye. Most characters called Phoenix Jackson “granny” or “grandma”. The white man, which helped her up in the woods, said “you must be a hundred years old, and scared of nothing.” Phoenix also ask a young lady for help tying her shoes,…

Phoenix Jackson, the main character in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty (1940), was an elderly woman with more determination than someone half her age. She is a woman living up to her first name! She is on a mission, and she will not allow anything to stand in her way. In this short story, we see a similarity between the mythological bird, the phoenix, and Phoenix Jackson. Throughout multiple obstacles in Phoenix’s passageway to her destination, her strength, resistance, and spirit persisted beyond…

Phoenix Jackson makes her way along a remote path on a cold day in late December. She encounters different animals as well as people on her journey. Although only some are real, Phoenix continues on her path towards the city. In the short story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson is a heroic, old woman who walks a path to get her grandson the medicine he needs to be well. She uses courage and wit to make it through her travels safely. As Phoenix Jackson walks her path, she struggles…

Throughout “A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson is considered a hero due to her many important traits. Phoenix Jackson displays her heroic status through her unknown origin, her set goal, and ability to not be taken for granted. As Phoenix embarks on her journey, she faces many hardships that she must overcome. Her goal to get medicine is easily accomplished due to her wisdom. Phoenix Jackson shows her strength and courage as she never gives up. Although we gain more knowledge of Phoenix throughout the…

Character Analysis of Phoenix Jackson in “A Worn Path” Everyone deserves someone who risk their life to save them, and everyone should be that person for someone else. In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson risks her life and wellbeing to help save her grandson that swallowed lye soap. Despite her age Phoenix makes a long and dangerous journey to town for medicine each time her grandson’s throat begins to swell up to the point that he is unable to swallow food. Phoenix is able to make…

In Eudora Welty's “A Worn Path” she chooses for the narrator to take a non-participating role to characterize Phoenix Jackson, who is the protagonist. The characterization helps show the symbolism behind “bird-like” references to Phoenix and other ideas in the story. It also helps bring out traits in Phoenix especially the fact of how she is obstinate. Throughout the story bird references are very common. On the surface she is portrayed as an old lady journeying to get medicine for her…

In a “A Worn Path”, Welty gives examples of how an old colored female travels through the woods twice a year to get medicine for her grandson. Questions and answers about this short story have affected the views on the way readers see Phoenix Jackson and the journey she has for not only herself but also for her grandson. As Phoenix travels through the woods to get to town, she sacrifices so much to achieve the goal she has set for herself. The multiple characteristics of Phoenix will explain…