A Worn Path Literary Analysis
Theme and Narrative Elements
Calvin
Introduction to Literature
Professor Heather Peerboom
31 August 2014
The literary definition of a phoenix is a mythical bird that in its lifetime burns up in flames and regenerates (Lester 2007). This is just one form of symbolism in Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path.” In this short story, Phoenix is an old African American grandmother. She embarks on an obstacle filled journey into Natchez to acquire medicine for her ill grandson. I will also be showing you two other literary terms in the story, which are plot and character. When Welty utilizes symbolism, plot and character; I will show you why love is the theme for “A Worn Path.” In Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix Jackson is the main character. Phoenix is a small elderly woman who was nearly blind. Welty made Phoenix an extremely resilient character. “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far,” (Clugston 2014) which means she was probably a slave at one point. From that quote you can also tell that Phoenix is …show more content…
uneducated. Phoenix went through woods, thorn bushes, a river crossing, almost attacked by a dog and a threatening hunter. Phoenix went through all these obstacles to retrieve medicine for her ailing grandson. This is not the first time she has done this; the title itself tells shows that. Welty shows us that even if Phoenix was an old elderly woman, faced with certain obstacles; that she will not be stopped to help her ill grandson. Welty gave Phoenix that never “give up” attitude that most individuals do not have. Phoenix will not be stopped no matter what the problem is. This is the reason why character makes love the main theme for “A Worn Path.”
The name Phoenix symbolizes the quality of person she is. Love also accounts for Phoenix’s courage, making it natural and unconscious, simply necessary rather than extraordinary (Lester 2007). I agree with Lester when she stated that due to the fact no matter the obstacle Phoenix faced, she was determined to make it to Natchez. For instance, a young white hunter points a weapon at her and she does not even budge not one bit. She will continue on this journey, like she has before plenty of times to ensure she receives the proper medicine for her ill grandson. This is how symbolism shows how the theme is love in “A Worn Path.” In Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the plot shows why love is the theme.
The beginning of Phoenix’s journey shows her struggling up a hill, extricating herself from a thorn bush, and crossing a log over a creek (Piwinski 2003). Phoenix 's perseverance is soon noticeable, as she pleads with a higher being to "keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don 't let none of those come running in my direction. I got a long way.” (Piwinski 2003) Piwinski stated that in the story, Phoenix faces obstacles but her perseverance is still noticeable. After she arrives in Natchez, Phoenix receives a nickel for Christmas from the nurse. She states she will buy her grandson a windmill because “He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing in the world.” (Clugston 2014) Here, she wants to bring joy to her grandson even though he has an illness. This is why the plot shows why love is the theme in “A Worn
Path.” “I bound to go to town, mister,” stated Phoenix. No matter the obstacle Phoenix’s was going to make it to Natchez. Nothing was going to stop her. The name Phoenix symbolizes a bird that dies and comes back to life. Phoenix’s journey brought life back into her and ensured she would accomplish her goal, which was to acquire medicine for her ailing grandson. Phoenix states “Something always take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay.”(Clugston 2014) The plot and everything that happens wants Phoenix to not go all the way to Natchez, but she will not be defeated because of the love for her grandson. This is why and how character, symbolism and plot demonstrate that Love is the theme for Welty’s “A Worn Path.”
References
Clugston, R. W. (2014). Journey into literature (2nd ed.). San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Lister, R. (2007). Literary Contexts in Short Stories: Eudora Welty 's "A Worn Path". Literary Contexts In Short Stories Collections: Eudora Welty 's 'A Worn Path ', 1
Piwinski, D.J. (2003). Mistletoe in Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path.” .Anq, 16(1), 40-42
Calvin
Introduction to Literature
Professor Heather Peerboom
31 August 2014
The literary definition of a phoenix is a mythical bird that in its lifetime burns up in flames and regenerates (Lester 2007). This is just one form of symbolism in Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path.” In this short story, Phoenix is an old African American grandmother. She embarks on an obstacle filled journey into Natchez to acquire medicine for her ill grandson. I will also be showing you two other literary terms in the story, which are plot and character. When Welty utilizes symbolism, plot and character; I will show you why love is the theme for “A Worn Path.” In Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix Jackson is the main character. Phoenix is a small elderly woman who was nearly blind. Welty made Phoenix an extremely resilient character. “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far,” (Clugston 2014) which means she was probably a slave at one point. From that quote you can also tell that Phoenix is …show more content…
uneducated. Phoenix went through woods, thorn bushes, a river crossing, almost attacked by a dog and a threatening hunter. Phoenix went through all these obstacles to retrieve medicine for her ailing grandson. This is not the first time she has done this; the title itself tells shows that. Welty shows us that even if Phoenix was an old elderly woman, faced with certain obstacles; that she will not be stopped to help her ill grandson. Welty gave Phoenix that never “give up” attitude that most individuals do not have. Phoenix will not be stopped no matter what the problem is. This is the reason why character makes love the main theme for “A Worn Path.”
The name Phoenix symbolizes the quality of person she is. Love also accounts for Phoenix’s courage, making it natural and unconscious, simply necessary rather than extraordinary (Lester 2007). I agree with Lester when she stated that due to the fact no matter the obstacle Phoenix faced, she was determined to make it to Natchez. For instance, a young white hunter points a weapon at her and she does not even budge not one bit. She will continue on this journey, like she has before plenty of times to ensure she receives the proper medicine for her ill grandson. This is how symbolism shows how the theme is love in “A Worn Path.” In Welty’s “A Worn Path,” the plot shows why love is the theme.
The beginning of Phoenix’s journey shows her struggling up a hill, extricating herself from a thorn bush, and crossing a log over a creek (Piwinski 2003). Phoenix 's perseverance is soon noticeable, as she pleads with a higher being to "keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don 't let none of those come running in my direction. I got a long way.” (Piwinski 2003) Piwinski stated that in the story, Phoenix faces obstacles but her perseverance is still noticeable. After she arrives in Natchez, Phoenix receives a nickel for Christmas from the nurse. She states she will buy her grandson a windmill because “He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing in the world.” (Clugston 2014) Here, she wants to bring joy to her grandson even though he has an illness. This is why the plot shows why love is the theme in “A Worn
Path.” “I bound to go to town, mister,” stated Phoenix. No matter the obstacle Phoenix’s was going to make it to Natchez. Nothing was going to stop her. The name Phoenix symbolizes a bird that dies and comes back to life. Phoenix’s journey brought life back into her and ensured she would accomplish her goal, which was to acquire medicine for her ailing grandson. Phoenix states “Something always take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay.”(Clugston 2014) The plot and everything that happens wants Phoenix to not go all the way to Natchez, but she will not be defeated because of the love for her grandson. This is why and how character, symbolism and plot demonstrate that Love is the theme for Welty’s “A Worn Path.”
References
Clugston, R. W. (2014). Journey into literature (2nd ed.). San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Lister, R. (2007). Literary Contexts in Short Stories: Eudora Welty 's "A Worn Path". Literary Contexts In Short Stories Collections: Eudora Welty 's 'A Worn Path ', 1
Piwinski, D.J. (2003). Mistletoe in Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path.” .Anq, 16(1), 40-42