A WORN PATH
Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" is an inspiring tale about man's ability to overcome the obstacles that nature, other men, and one's own self put into the road of life. Phoenix Jackson, a rickety old Negro woman, hurdles many miles through forest, field, a hunter's discouragements, and even her own failing memory to obtain an essential medicine for her ailing grandson. "A Worn Path" is a short story which delivers a "tall" message explaining to all who read it that, no matter a person's race, creed, color, economic status, or age one is, the gritty determination of the human spirit can accomplish the most daunting of tasks.Mother Nature in all her vast array has been destroying man's creations and taking human lives since the beginning of time. Surviving intense earthquakes and storms has been done by many hardy souls throughout time as well. Phoenix Jackson in "A Worn Path" is attempting to travel through nature on a sunny but very chilly day. There are no treacherous storms to trudge through or flying debris to duck from, but in the frail and vulnerable condition of Phoenix Jackson a simple walk through the countryside could prove fatal. Despite a walking cane, untied shoe
Human Nature in all its selfishness and evil has proven to be millions of more times destructive than Mother Nature. A hunter came across old Phoenix and laughed at her, told her town was too far, and even caused a ruckus fighting with a dog and firing his gun. Phoenix, worn from the trip, has an episode of memory loss at the most crucial point of the story. Looking at Phoenix and then looking at the task she must accomplish would make many doubters. Doubt is far from Phoenix's mind as her determined spirit consistently reminds her that she must get through the obstacles of nature and to the medicine that waits in the city hospital. The spirit of Phoenix is alive as thousands of ordinary families form an "underground railroad" system that helps slaves gain their God given freedom, when Neil Armstrong walks on the moon, and when Firefighters and Policemen continue to dig despite exhaustion at the site where the twin towers stood tall. Anything can be accomplished if one's mind is made to think it can be. Sports records are never broken because the ones destined to break them simply quit and give up on themselves. The nature of some human's can be degrading and unproductive during the most crucial of times. Those with a sharp mind, like that of the old woman Phoenix, will overcome all negativity with humor and determined honesty. This simple trick that the aging woman pulled should be noted by those in the world who take other's discouragements to heart. s, failing vision, and the occasional visions of ghosts from her past Phoenix Jackson has made countless trips from her home in the country to the big city. She is right where she needs to be and is around the people who have the prize she has been striving and laboring for all day long. Portions of humanity hide her away and make up every excuse possible as to why they do not have a job or why a certain task cannot be accomplished.
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