Upon reading Welty's stories you realize they are not what they appear, but are merely allusions used to portray a deeper meaning. There are many factors that can be contributed to the effective portraying of Welty's allusions. A good example would be how her characters become almost life like, real, through her use of characterization. Also Welty's creative usage of imagery and symbols. Even her diction and choice of easygoing writing style adds to her allusions.
             In order for Welty's allusions to be effective she has to draw the reader into the character. The reader needs to feel and understand where the character is coming from. The character has to seem life like. In order to give a character life you must fully understand their mind set. Noted by Robert Drake, Welty states: "What I do in writing of any character is to try to enter into the mind, heart, and skin of a human being who is not myself" (293). This helps her to create a character that has real emotions, needs, wants, and desires.
             Welty's use of this method combined with characterization, in "A Worn Path", create Phoenix. Phoenix is a character which people can connect to someone. "...Negro women with her head tied in a red rag...She was very old and small and she walked slowly in the dark pine shadows, moving a little from side to side in her steps..." (Welty 275). Welty goes on to talk about the type of dress Phoenix wears and the manner in which she carries herself.
             It is so easy to identify this character with someone like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. Strong, proud, and determined, traits that all three women share. And even if you have never heard of these women Phoenix could be your grandmother, the nice old lady that lives on your block, and even one of the elders in your church. "It is essential to emphasize...that phoenix is not a stereotypical or stock black character bu...