Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" tells the story of Phoenix Jackson, an elderly black woman living in the early to mid twentieth century. Phoenix's struggle to once again travel a difficult passage through the country into town for her ill grandson's medicine is well represented by the story's title. The significance of the title of "A Worn Path," however, lies in its complexity and in its many interpretations.
The most obvious interpretation of the title's meaning is a reference to the path itself. Within the context of this particular interpretation, the keyword "worn" in "A Worn Path" implies that this path has been traveled many times before by Phoenix. Evidence of this is found in the nurse's familiarity with Phoenix and in her remarks at the doctor's office: "Oh, that's just old Aunt Phoenix She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork. She lives away back off the Old Natchez Trace" (869). Further evidence of this is not as apparent, but is exhibited in Phoenix's excellent familiarity with the arduous passage. Having lived so long Phoenix is forgetful of many things, including her reason for heading into town in the first place: "It was my memory had left me. There I sat and forgot why I made my long trip" (870). And yet her sense of direction on the path comes automatically. Indeed the "path" is "worn" as a result of Phoenix's repeated trips to the town for her grandson's well being, and driven by her love for him, she will most likely make the travel the "worn path" again.
The title can also be interpreted as a reflection upon Phoenix Jackson's lengthy and undoubtedly difficult life. Taking the setting of the story into account, it is reasonable to assume that Phoenix as a black woman would have led a very challenging life up to that point. Welty's description of her early on in the story is enough to paint a picture of an old, tiered and overworked woman: "She was very old and small.
A Worn Path Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" is a fantastic journey through an elderly woman's daily struggles. ... At first, the reader almost seems to be able to walk with Phoenix on her path because the description of her surroundings is so well stated. ... This brief description of the plot of "A Worn Path" is minimal in comparison to how interesting the story really was. ...
One of her most well-known short stories is "A Worn Path," which she wrote in 1940. ... The setting of "A Worn Path" began in rural southern Mississippi along the Natchez Trail. ... The advantage of being a native of Mississippi has helped Eudora set the setting of "A Worn Path." As a person reads "A Worn Path," it can't go un-noticed that Phoenix Jackson is a unique name. ... Eudora's life in Mississippi and her familiarity with the Natchez Trail greatly influenced the setting and the main character's name in the short story "A Worn Path." ...
"A Worn Path" is a story of an old woman whose human spirit is full of devotion, dignity and high drive that helps her overcome tremendous impediments of life in the name of love for her grandson. ... Phoenix Jackson, as a woman who possesses both qualities, teaches us life lessons to hold onto and experience for ourselves, as we journey down our own "worn path". ... In the story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson, despite the racial injustice which she was forced to endure in her lifetime, lives up to her name by using her inner strength and wisdom throughout her journey to reach ...
Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" begins as a simple story of an old woman walking through the woods to town. ... In "A Worn Path," Phoenix Jackson seems like a silly, old woman. ... In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, the exposition is found near the end of the story. ...
A Worn Path "A Worn Path" is a short story that was written by Eudora Weltey. This story was about a little old black lady named Phoenix Jackson who lived way back in the piney woods with her grandson. And every time he ran out of his medication, she would walk a long journey to the nearest town...
A Worn Path "A Worn Path" is a short story that was written by Eudora Weltey. This story was about a little old black lady named Phoenix Jackson who lived way back in the piney woods with her grandson. And every time he ran out of his medication, she would walk a long journey to the nearest town...
A Worn Path / The Lottery Both "A Worn Path," by Eudora Welty, and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, deal with routine and the impact following a routine can have on people. In "A Worn Path", Old Phoenix shows how as you get older, your capability of doing things become limited which leads you to doing things over and over again following a set of routine. ... In " A Worn Path," as Old Phoenix walked through the woods and got to the top of the hill and gave a full, severe look behind her where she had come and said "Up through pines," then "N...
In her short story, "A Worn Path," Eudora Welty uses many different symbols that convey an underlying meaning that death is lurking around every corner and around every bend in the road. Some of these symbols include the title itself, "A Worn Path," the rustling in the bushes, Phoenix Jackson's dress catching in the bush, and the scarecrow and the black dog. ... The first symbol is the title of the story and how it brings Phoenix Jackson to her journey of "A Worn Path." ... The path Phoenix takes is the path of her life. ... Phoenix Jackson walks a path through the long journey of life. ...
