Not only this, the idea of making a weak woman travel during Christmas season represents sacrifice, and at the same time, it depicts the belief of Christians of salvation from God. The nurse and the white man symbolizes people and hurdles that come in everyone’s life – dealing with these hurdles properly always brings success in life.Īnother interesting point in this story is the use of the name Phoenix, which symbolizes resurrection – at least according to Egyptian Mythology. In the story, Phoenix tries to ask a white man and a nurse for help, but doesn’t receive a good response.
#A WORN PATH EUDORA WELTY FULL#
As mentioned, the story is full of symbolism, but at the same time, Welty tries to touch slightly on the issue of racism. The author skillfully explains how every person has his/her journey to complete, and during this phase, everyone has to overcome several obstacles. Still, she manages to solve her problems and finally gets to her destination. Right from the poor eyesight to slow walking pace, there was nothing in her favor. She has to face several problems during her journey. The author narrates everything in a beautiful way, explaining how the old woman stays motivated and determined to cover the distance from her abode to the nearest town where her grandson is in need. In the story, Welty explains how a poor woman wants to travel on foot, with a stick in her hand. The story relies heavily on subtext and symbolism, and Welty has actually managed to use her leading character sensibly to represent the powerful force of determination, sacrifice, and love. She starts her story by introducing her main character, an old black woman named Phoenix, who follows a worn path during Christmas season. That shows that she is faithful to who she loves.A Worn Path is a piece of impressive work created by Eudora Welty and revolves around two important emotions everyone has for their family – love and sacrifice. Yet she does it with a smile on her face. She knows she has to take care of her grandson because she is the only person he has left. ” She walked to the city to get medication for her ill grandson, putting her wellbeing aside. “There she had to creep and crawl, spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb the steps.
Throughout the journey, there were numerous opportunities that Phoenix could have given up and gone home, but she didn’t. These obstacles only prove the love that Phoenix has for her grandson. She does not flinch in the face of these potentially dangerous situations because of her love and dedication to her sick grandson. Some of these obstacles include her old age, the cold weather, ditches & hills, thorns, wild animals and a hunter with a gun. The setting affects the action in this story by placing obstacles in Phoenix’s path. ” Phoenix not only made this journey once, but she does in numerous times, so much so, that the people there know her. She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork. “She doesn’t come for herself- she has a little grandson. She was a selfless woman whose spirit could not be broken. She proved this on a number of occasions throughout the story. Phoenix Jackson’s feeble mind and body was no obstacle to the insurmountable devotion she felt toward her grandson. By using the actions of Phoenix, and the setting of the story, Welty helps show us an example of love, perseverance, and dedication. His love for her is what keeps him going, so if he has to read the same story every day until the day he dies, he is completely fine with that. We Will Write a Custom Case Study Specifically