Characerization in A Worn Path

            In the short story, "A Worn Path," by Eudora Welty, the concept of characterization examines the relationship between Phoenix and her grandson. Phoenix Jackson is a stock character in the story. A stock character is a stereotypical person whom audiences readily recognize from frequent recurrences in a particular literary tradition. She is a major character that does minor things. She represents a grandmother who is willing to do anything for her grandchild. Phoenix shows immense bravery throughout the story many times. She was pointed at with a gun and she took on other obstacles that an elderly person wouldn't. She is treated with disrespect as well, when she arrives at the clinic. Through her actions, we learn of Phoenix Jackson's devotion and love for her grandson to make him well. .
             Phoenix Jackson emerges in "A Worn Path" as a character who endures obstacles that test the strength and stability of her body. Her character is portrayed as old Negro woman with no common sense. For example, "She was very old and small and she walked slowly in the dark pine shadows, moving a little from side to side in her steps, with the balanced heaviness and lightness of the pendulum in a grandfather clock" (86). The author makes Phoenix seem illiterate by not completing her sentences or sounding as if she doesn't know what she's talking about. As this quote shows, "I in a thorny bush," she said. "Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush" (87). There she is captured talking to herself. Old Phoenix isn't and idiot though she knows exactly what she's doing and why she's doing it in the beginning of course.
             As the story progresses Phoenix's character has many run-ins with things that she should be afraid of. For instance when she was walking through the cotton field and thought she spotted a ghost.