Pheoenix Jackson's feeble mind and body was no obstacle to the unsurmountable devotion she felt toward her grandson. Pheonix proved this on a number of occassions throughout the story. Her sheer determination was baffling. Her courage to press on without concern of what the path brought was inspirational. She was a selfless woman whose spirit could not be broken. The story raises conflict with sanity and insanity, strength with weakness, and fear with bravery. We all can identify somewhat with Phoenix, and learn even more from her. The plot, characterization, and theme exemplifies the universal truth, people will go to any extremes for the ones they love.
Throughout the plot, Phoenix encounters many challanges both physical and mental in nature. Though her eyes are dimmed and her body is waxed old with age, Phoenix is as head-strong as any able body. She takes no thought of her limitations, but focuses on the tasks at hand. No matter situation arose,Phoenix was ready to tackle it. She was emcumbered by thorny bushes, held at gunpoint, mocked and growled at, yet nothing could quench her fiery intent. There were niether external nor internal boundaries that would hinder her from reaching her destination. She had no concept of her own worth, except what she could do for others(namely her grandson). Her altruistic attitude is evident within the journey.
Phoenix characterization employs similar tone. Her gentle childlike spirit captures the innonce of her gesture. Her boldness is demonstrated by embarking on a journey, that even the young hunter said he would not do without something for his trouble. The story depicts Phoenix as a lonely, pitiful, and poverty stricken woman with much grief to contend. She may have not had an education, but she was wise in life and love. The fact that she was so defenseless, and invincible at the same time, drew depth and meaning to the piece. The story's title "A Worn Path", suggests that it was more than a journey for Phoenix, but a way of life.
Eudora Welty makes that clear within the first few sentences. ... A Worn Path can stand for several things. ... A Worn Path stands to mean many different things. ... A Worn Path could stand for this path she walks and the obstacles she has to overcome every time she goes to Natchez. A Worn Path could also stand for Phoenix's "path" of life and everything she has encountered in her lifetime. ...
Literary Analysis of "A Worn Path" In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, an elderly woman travels along a worn path to town. ... Phoenix Jackson's journey along the path to town is symbolic of the path through life. ... Her fingers were busy and intent, but her skirts were full and long, so that before she could pull it free in one place it was caught in another" (Welty 2). ... "At the foot of this hill was a place where a log was laid across the creek" (Welty 3). ... Phoenix comes across a man on the way to town and he says, "But you take my advice and stay Blais 2 home, and nothing...
A Brief Analysis of Eduora Welty's Works In the hands of a proficient author a short story is a powerful instrument. ... Someone who has read a short story by Eudora Welty often responds in that very way, feeling that the story served no purpose. ... "A Worn Path," "A Curtain of Green," and "Livvie" are just a few examples of stories that take place in a realistic world with realistic characters in realistic surroundings and with realistic situations that all come to life in the rich style of Welty's writing. ... Eudora Welty has a way of breathing life into that which she w...
" (Warren, 2002) Scripture states in "The Gospel of Luke" that "to whom much is given, much is required." (12:48) In analyzing Robert Frost's, "The Road Not Taken," (as cited in Clugston, 2011, sec. 2.2) and Eudora Welty's, "A Worn Path," (as cited in Clugston, 2011, sec. 6.5), there is a sense of purpose, producing perseverance in the journey of life of each of the protagonists. ... The theme of perseverance is strengthened and established through a comparative analysis of these two pieces. ... Eudora Welty, on the other hand, utilizes the form of short sto...
The short story "A Worn Path", by Eudora Welty, shows an excellent example of this statement. ... Keep out from under these feet, little bob-whites .Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. ... After taking a swipe at the piece of cake, she gathers herself and continues down the path. ...
Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" takes place in the rural south during 1930s in December. ... A reoccurring idea in of "A Worn Path" is that obstacles kept appearing, even after she just accomplished a task. ... Along the path, there is tree that fell over a creek where she again takes a deep breath and crosses unscathed. ... Phoenix relied on memory of where her path would eventually pick up; however, she has a run in with a scarecrow. ... The first story may be how she would wave that wind mill high and proud while she returned to the worn path back home and again al...