The Two Paths

taking advantage of them and then by burning their house, murdering a child who was not even old enough to walk. Through symbolism, Welty is able to give a new meaning to this story. There are many symbols that Eudora Welty has included in A Worn Path. One of the main symbols shown throughout the course of the story is how Phoenix was related to the mythological phoenix bird who sets itself on fire but rose from its own ashes. She made the journey to town every time her grandson needed…

Eudora Welty’s, “A Worn Path” follows the journey of Phoenix Jackson, an old Negro woman who, time and time again, makes the difficult journey through the forest to town. Despite her old age and obvious inabilities, she finds the strength to make the journey through the pinewoods, down through oaks, thorny bushes, and barbed wire. The theme of her “hero’s journey” is found through the author’s use of characterization, symbolism/imagery, and conflict. The author’s use of characterization makes…

The Quests in “Araby” and “A Worn Path” In the two short stories “Araby,” by James Joyce, published in 1914, and “A Worn Path,” by Eudora Welty, published in 1973, both stories view life as a journey. Both protagonists, Phoenix Jackson, the main character in “A Worn Path,” and the Narrator in “Araby” embark on an errand out of love. In “Araby,” the Narrator develops an infatuation for Mangan’s sister, who for the longest period does not notice him. He laments, “I had never spoken to her, except…

courage”, written by Stephen Crane, and the movie “Paths of Glory,” directed by Stanley Kubrick, this statement takes upon a new meaning. Both Crane and Kubrick validate this message by showing that men grow selfish in the race to war glory and status, which in turn dehumanizes and uselessly kills innocent soldiers. They are expected to look this death in the face with unconditional bravery, which is against human nature. War is typically fought between two sides, each with its own purpose and…

Characterization in Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path”: A Delusional Granny Published in 1941, “A Worn Path,” written by Eudora Welty, is a short story filled with an array of themes. The theme of varying realities is one particular viewpoint which is represented. In this story the protagonist makes a journey into town to get medicine for her beloved grandson who is suffering from lye poisoning. Along the way she has interactions with multiple figures, both animate and inanimate that show lapses in…

quest to find their personal call, could be on a journey with many obstacles in their path, or could be on a quest to find a type of treasure. There are many important characteristics that these individuals possess on their quests, such as motivation, determination, honor, and courage. One of the most prevalent characteristics in these stories is courage. Courage is a characteristic that is present in “A Worn Path,” “Through the Tunnel,” “Paul’s Case,”…

she doubts herself, knowing this was a stupid mistake. Her shoes are too tight, her headphones are falling out, and she just knows she won’t be able to feel as great as she used to. She rounds a comer of the forested path, and she increases the sound of her music by a notch or two. She keeps on jogging, navigating tree roots and questioning why she even decided to go for a run. As the first song from her carefully constructed playlist ends, and the next one begins, she feels the slightest of…

role in the story without being the protagonist. In “The Most Dangerous Game”, “A Worn Path”, and “A Rose for Emily”, all have subordinate characters that contribute to making the story understandable. Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, starts off with the protagonist, Sanger Rainsford, having a conversation with Whitney about hunting. Rainsford believes that “the world is made up of two classes―the hunters and the huntees.” When Whitney brings up the feelings of the…

A Worn Path “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty is about Phoenix Jackson’s journey. Within her journey, she overcomes obstacles and is determined to help her grandson. She has a symbolic connection to a mythical bird known as a phoenix. The phoenix is a mythological bird and there are many different stories and beliefs about this creature. According to a legend, a phoenix can be reborn and has the ability to heal. The author intentionally makes Phoenix Jackson an allusion to the mythological phoenix…

Hinton 1 Hinton, Venekia Joshua Bowen English 1123 7 February 2017 A Worn Path “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty is a story of determination and hope. The short story takes place during the 1940’s in Mississippi. This was a time when African Americans were not treated equal to whites. Welty’s story talks about an elderly African American woman named Phoenix. Phoenix is on a burdensome journey from the country to Jackson, Mississippi. For many people, the journey from the country to the…