Worn Path By Eudora Welty Essay

On an everyday basis people are encountering challenges that stand in their way of them achieving their set goals. However, with determination the vast majority will accomplish the mission they have set out to conquer. In the short story “A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty in 1940, Phoenix Jackson, the main character has a mission in which she is trying to complete when she is faced with many challenges. This short story is centered on the challenges that are faced by an elderly African-American grandmother as she continues on her long journey from the secluded pinewoods into the town nearby of Natchez. She has one intention in mind when she begins, to get a medicine for her chronically ill grandson no matter what the challenges are that she encounters. The one way to convey this idea to the readers is with the literary use of theme. Some of the major themes in Eudora Welty’s short story is the determination that Jackson conveys with her actions, the aspect of agism, and racism. The most important theme in this story is the emotional and spiritual strength of Jackson which enables her to continue her journey.

Thesis statement: In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson displays extraordinary perseverance in the face of difficulty, which ultimately allows her to accomplish her goal.

Everyday people encounter challenges that stand in their way of achieving their goals, but with sheer determination most accomplish their mission. In the short story “A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson, the main character, has a mission to complete while confronting many challenges. One way to convey this idea is with the literary use of theme. The theme of a literary work is defined as the central idea, concern or message about life that an author wishes to convey to his/her readers. There can be more than one theme in a literary work. One of the major themes in Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path” is the sheer determination that Phoenix Jackson conveys via her actions. This short story centers on the

During one of her challenges, Phoenix’s 5.brazenness is displayed when she faces a 6.haughty hunter. According to the narrator, “’Well, I scared him off that time,’ he said, and then he laughed and lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix. She stood straight and faced him. ‘Doesn't the gun scare you?’ he said, still pointing it. ‘No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done,’ she said, holding utterly still. He smiled, and shouldered the gun. ‘Well, Granny,’ he said, ‘you must be a hundred years old, and scared of nothing.’” (Welty 854). Her courageous attitude appears when she boldly stands up for herself and does not back down (Adv. 3). During this time, Phoenix is ridiculed in different ways by whites that seem detrimental and rude. In one section of the text, “’Speak up, Grandma,’ the woman said. ‘What's your name? We must have your history, you know. Have you been here before? What seems to be the trouble with you?’ Old Phoenix only gave a twitch to her face as if a fly were bothering her. ‘Are you deaf?’ cried the attendant” (Welty 855). Phoenix 7.apathetically takes the comment from the woman who called her 8.archaic, but does not retaliate; this proves that she is not temperamental, but patient (Adj. Phrase 2). Phoenix’s selflessness appears as she takes the journey for the grandson. In the story, “’She doesn't come for herself—she has a little grandson. She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork’” (Welty 855). This reveals that she would risk her well-being for him, thus taking the rough journey frequently. These developments indicated in Phoenix Jackson’s character all came from the same source: her determination to help and the love for her

Most people accomplish difficult tasks with support systems such as family or friends. Phoenix knows she is alone in the world to care for her grandson. This knowledge of solitude makes Phoenix’s mission all the more difficult. The incident with the white hunter along her travel also demonstrates Jackson’s determination. As stated by Dennis Sykes, “Phoenix realizes that the importance of the trip far exceeds the possible harm that can be done to her brittle frame”(151). Phoenix’s ability to stare down possible bodily harm all for the sake of her grandson’s wellbeing demonstrates her heroic determination. By overcoming adversity, Phoenix’s determined character is revealed very well.

By the end of the story, the reader realizes that Phoenix's trip does have a goal. She walks to get medicine for her sick grandson. The theme of the the story is that Phoenix went through all of those things on her journey because of the love of her grandson. Throughout the journey, she encountered three different individuals, all being white and all making the journey a light more difficult.

She had taken every last cent she had to go to the store and buy her sick grandson a toy although she would get nothing in return. Clearly, there are three messages portrayed in Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path. Phoenix is a great role model for many to admire.

“A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty. It is based on an elderly African-American grandmother named Phoenix Jackson, who goes for a walk to the town of Natchez on a cold December morning to get some medicine for her ailing grandson. This story speaks of the obstacles Phoenix endured along the way and how she overcame them. The theme, central idea or message that the author wishes to convey to his or her readers, in “A Worn Path” is one of determination. Phoenix Jackson is determined to get to Natchez, in order to get medicine for her grandson; she does not let any obstacles get in her way. The theme of determination is shown in many ways throughout this short story.

  The short story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, is a descriptive story of a grandmother's difficult journey, for a grandson she loves. Her devotion to her grandson and wanting to provide him with a better lifestyle, was her motivation to overcome these trials. On this trip, Phoenix Jackson, the grandmother, struggles against old age, nature, and reality.

Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path” demonstrations how people in the early twentieth century could not see past the color of one’s skin and the hardships which are faced because of this blindness. Welty short story demonstrations these difficulties with Phoenix Jackson and her journey to town. Through symbolism and motifs and even the symbolism has double meaning. For example, “seem like there is chains about my feet” (Welty 1) as her path is face with a hill. Yes, it could be just the hardship of the hill or the chains of slavery or her life of struggles. While developing her character within the flawed imagery Welty leaves readers with a paradox of their own, who Phoenix truly is. During the 1940’s, Mississippi countryside was not a kind place to color people as the hunter so nicely called her nor an elderly woman on her own. Meanwhile Phoenix persevered using her wits and grit. Although this path lies open to interpretation, Phoenix Jackson reveals her true character with little gestures and leaves little bread crumbs to follow. The well-worn path is not without purpose or meaning thou the truth within unravels as if following the pattern set by Phoenix’s untied shoelaces dragging behind.

The title of the story, “A Worn Path,” is foreshadowing something coming to an end. In Phoenix Jackson's case, it could mean the last time she walks the path or it could even very well be her life. Eudora Welty describes Phoenix walking slowly in the dark pine shadows with a cane, indicating the rough journey ahead. Early on in the story, she encounters a thorn patch. In this story, it states,“Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let old folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush.” The thorns represent some of the hurdles that hinder you if you are born black in America, especially in Jackson's time. The author uses imagery in the story to make the reader feel as if they know her. “God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing.” When Jackson talks to herself aloud the reader imagines the young spirited side of her.

Eudora Welty in “A Worn Path” expresses her most intimate feeling on the concept of love. She offers the nature of love that bears all situations. In the character of Phoenix Jackson, Eudora reflects on a love that is pure, representing a commitment to service to family and fellow humans. Jackson undergoes hardship to secure her grandson treatment. It is critical to observe that Jackson’s age even illuminates the situation with more gravity, demonstrating compassion for her grandchild.

Phoenix Jackson, the main character, is a small, old African American woman who goes on a journey for a purpose that is unknown at the beginning of the story. Although Phoenix has made this trip many times, something is different about this trip. Throughout her journey, Phoenix faces many obstacles and hardships. The author uses symbolism and, later, gives the reader awareness of Phoenix’s character while, hopefully, teaching a lesson about life. In “A Worn Path”, Eudora Welty uses the symbols of the name “Phoenix”, life and death, and the main characters’ age throughout the story.

Life is more than just a walk in the park, we are not always that lucky. Throughout one persons life there are always ups and downs, but what really make a person are the actions we take when we encounter obstacles. Life is an obstacle course in which we have to overcome in our lifetimes. In A Worn Path an older woman by the name of Phoenix Jackson takes a long road full of hardships to achieve a goal, which is to get medicine for her grandson. Not only does Phoenix of A Worn Path represent struggle but how we overcome this struggle to achieve a sense of achievement or a goal. Throughout time, people have been going through life’s obstacles and their willingness to

Before the journey even begins, we come to an understanding that this journey is going to be a struggle for Phoenix. She is described as "very old and small" (86) and walks carefully with her "thin, small cane made from an