A Worn Path
As I began to read this short story about a painful and tedious trek an aged grandmother endures she has made for the last three or four years to the city with one intention in mind, to get a medicine for her chronically ill grandson. On a cold December day she repeats the same journey again. As we read, it appears to be about a long journey the woman has made throughout the entire story, but by carefully examining the theme, it tells us that there is a greater message than just a long trek. In the story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, an old woman whose human spirit is full of dedication, dignity and high morale overcomes tremendous obstacles of life in the name of love. Phoenix Jackson is the protagonist of the story who is an African- American woman, old and probably disabled. As one person says in the story "You must be hundreds years"(Welty, p365) addressing Phoenix. All of these characteristics are the evidence that the journey is not going to be easy, but her faith in God and strong relation with nature accommodate her on the way. She understands nature by designating it as a "guardian" when her dress gets caught in the bush. "Thorns doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass"(Welty, p364), says Phoenix
It is not her time to leave the Earth yet, so God sends her a hunter, instead, for help. With her belief in God, her goal to finish her journey and her love for her grandson, she conquers all obstacles on the way. However, Phoenix's difficult experience of slavery and her financial situation are above any law of society or the Bible which justify her actions and perform as a payback for the difficult times in her life. It those difficult moments, we need miracles to restore what has been damaged such as relationships, career, financial stability or health. Just like in the story, we come across many obstacles in the way that may throw us out of control or even make us lose courage. "Yes, sir" or "mister" are pronounced in a way as if she abhors his ethical standards. As Eudora Welty describes the event, the hunter "lifted her up, gave her a swing in the air, and set her down"(p. She distracts him with a black dog long enough for her to pick up the nickel and put it in her pocket. When she has difficult times such as fatigue and the fall in the bush, she addresses to God by reaching her hand to Him, but nothing reached down to her. In the beginning of the century hardly any crime was justified by society, especially if it was committed by a person of a minority group. Her difficult life's experience as an African-American woman who lived through slavery makes her spirit strong. She is victorious with her inner power, which consists of her love, experience, dignity and wits. Yet, Phoenix believes that her actions are excusable by her necessity, which refers to financial needs as well as her love and care for her grandson.
Common topics in this essay:
Eudora Welty,
African- American,
Commandments Bible,
,
Earth God,
Phoenix Jackson,
eudora welty,
black dog,
hunter phoenix,
helps stand,
hunter finally,
difficult times,
|
Acceptance Essays
