Phoenix Jackson's Symbolic Journey
             Everyday people encounter obstacles that stand in the way of their goals. Phoenix, in "A Worn Path", by Eudora Welty, has a mission to accomplish, but many things stand in her way. When she finally makes it, she has conquered her goal for that day. She also has a long-term goal, which is to make her grandson happy and well. Her walk to town on the path symbolizes her entire life, and the lives of everyone else. Everyone sets goals for themselves, but in the way of completing those goals, stand obstacles. When people realize your dream and overcome those obstacles, they triumph. Phoenix, on this journey, has many dreams, obstacles, and triumphs.
             Foremost, Phoenix Jackson has many dreams throughout the course of her journey. The gold seal she sees is symbolic of her most important dream, and represents all people's goals. It is attached to a document on the doctor's door, which she sees after climbing the long flight of stairs. "She entered a door, and there she saw nailed up on the wall the document that had been stamped with the gold seal and framed in the gold frame, which matched the dream hung up in her head" (638). The gold seal and frame not only represent her goal, but also show she is at the end of her rigorous journey. "The dream hung up in her head" is to get the medicine needed for her grandson's health. In the bigger picture, people sacrifice many things each day for their loved ones and are driven by that love. In addition, getting the medicine was ultimately for her grandson's happiness. The fact that they have no one left but each other drives her to make him happy no matter the circumstances. In this excerpt, Phoenix receives a nickel as charity from the nurse and she responds, " I going to the store and buy my child a little windmill they sells. Made out of paper. He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing i...