A Worn Path
Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" is a story that emphasizes the natural symbolism of the surroundings. As the story begins, we are introduced to our main character, Phoenix Jackson; she is described as a small, old Negro woman. I believe that the name Eudora Welty gives our main character is very symbolic. The legend of the Phoenix is about a fabled sacred bird of ancient Egyptians. The bird is said to come out of Arabia every 500 years to Heliopolis, where it burned itself on the altar and rose again from its ashes, young and beautiful. Phoenix, the women in the story, represents the myth of the bird because she is described as being elderly and near the end of her life. Phoenix can hardly walk and uses a cane made of an old umbrella to aid her. Her skin is described as old and wrinkly, but yet with a golden color running beneath it "Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead, but a golden color ran underneath"(55). Her skin tone represents the golden feathers of the Phoenix and her grandson represents the next Phoenix that will be given life when she dies. The trip to the city to get the medicine represents the mythological trip that
Phoenix uses her inner strengths and prevails over every barrier. Most likely this journey along a worn path through the woods, will be one of her last. " At a number of points throughout the story, Phoenix refers to herself as old. "Without warning she had seen with her own eyes a flashing nickel fall out of the man's pocket onto the ground. Here, the author contrasts the main character's strong will with her small, frail physique. Her determination makes up for her aged memory. I believe that this line represents a change that has occurred within the hunters mind. After there meeting he realizes how strong her will is and lets her go on her way. The hunter then tells Phoenix that he assumes she must be going into town to see Santa Claus. When she tells him that the time has come around, the reader now knows that there is a reason for her journey into town. I'd give you a dime if I had any money with me. The white man asks Phoenix what she is doing in the ditch, and she replies "Lying on my back like a June-bug waiting to be turned over, mister" (56) as she reaches out her hand. Immediately the reader assumes that the hunter has seen Phoenix stealing his nickel, though Welty never states whether the hunter saw Phoenix pick up the nickel or not. Clearly, the frail, forgetful, and loving old woman can overcome anything. The hunter and Phoenix begin to chat and the hunter asks her if she is on her way home.
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Acceptance Essays
