Eudora Welty, the author of "A Worn Path", used most of her symbolism when hinting that it was Christmas time and using phrases that compare her long and grueling journey to life itself. Some physical characteristics of Phoenix, such as her hair and eyes, contribute to the symbolism of youth and age in the story. The author makes it obvious that Phoenix is old. Old usually makes the reader think gray hair, but Phoenix's hair was still black. Welty said some phrases that also symbolize life, youth, death or age. For example: "Seem like there is chains about my feet" (Roberts, 151). This example makes the reader think about death or maybe even slavery, which could lead to death. "Now down through the oaks" (Roberts, 151) is another small example of death. She most symbolized youth when Welty wrote, "she had to creep and crawl, spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb the steps" (Roberts, 151). When she passed the old cabins that were rotting and boarded shut, it symbolized her age and how long she has been around because she probably was making that journey before that cabin was ever boarded up. It was surely a symbol of death when the black dog knocked old Phoenix into the ditch. .
A few phrases Christian symbolism are mentioned throughout the story including things that hint at Christmas. Some readers may think of crossing the river Jordan when she was crossing the log that was laid across the creek. A candy cane is brought to mind when the author describes the thin cane Phoenix uses made from an umbrella. When she uses the phrase, "a tree in a pearly cloud of mistletoe"(Roberts, 151), it symbolizes how Christmas is on her mind. When Phoenix finally reaches her destination, the atmosphere is definitely made of Christmas. She describes the red and green electric lights and the red, green and silver wrapped gifts that a lady in the crowd is carrying. It shows how Christmas is a great time foe giving when the lady with the gifts ties Phoenix's shoe and the attendant in the hospital gives her a nickel.
