In Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" the conflict was not apparent at the very
beginning. What was a poor, elderly sick woman doing gallivanting in the forest during the
dead of winter? The reason became clear towards the conclusion of the story as the action
revealed that the conflict was obtaining the necessary medicine for her grandson. When
this conflict became obvious, another question came to mind. What kind of society did this
woman live in that she had to go all the way from her home in the countryside to the city by
herself to get the medicine? The conflict being illustrated is that of an individual versus
society and the four problems that Phoenix faces as a result of this was her old age, her
health, her grandson's health and her state of poverty. "Her eyes were blue with age. Her
skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles. The thesis in this story is
about social prejudice in the 1920's through the
This quotation was one of many indications of Phoenix Jackson's old age. Normally,
in society there are benefits for the elderly and those of the golden age. There are various
organizations that help people who are over the age of sixty-five. They also provide
various services towards them such as meals on wheels. Was there not someone who
could have delivered the medicine to this woman of nearly 100 years of age? Perhaps
Phoenix Jackson was too shy or had too much pride to ask for a service of that nature. The
doctors from the medical building knew about the condition of Phoenix's grandson and did
nothing to try and help. This showed the lack of respect that was present in the society. In
today's society, someone of that age commands and deserves the proper respect. "She
carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella, and with this she kept tapping the
The next conflict that plagued her is that of her health. In the preceding quotation,
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