The short story that was chosen is “A Worn Path” (Welty,1941) and the Poem chose is “The Road Not Taken “(Frost). ) They both have the same theme, content, form and style. In this paper you will find that the story and the poem are alike and different in ways as for the symbolism, taking the path and facing obstacles along the way. Differences as in one an elderly lady dreams of her grandson, the other a man trying to decide what road he wants to take. Phoenix 's brief encounters on her journey typify the views of many Southern whites during the era.
"A Worn Path" is told from a third-person limited point of view. This allows the reader to empathize with Phoenix, because her thoughts and actions are shown. Yet, in third-person, the reader is allowed to view Phoenix from a distance, and thereby see her as others see her. There is symbolism in Phoenix’s name also the name of a bird that rises from the ashes, the phoenix (The Bird) has become a common emblem of reincarnation, Phoenix is said to represent the sun, which dies at night and take a new birth every morning. Some traditional writers also relate it with "existing in heaven", enjoying everlasting adolescence. Amid Christians. So I think that meaning Phoenix Jackson was so strong walking every day to get her grandsons medicine, and then like the Bird is an emblem of reincarnation, maybe her grandson had passed away and she thought he was still alive. In her mind she was trying to bring him back alive. Its themes are elicited from the symbol of the journey as well as the encounters the old woman has on her journey. Critics have praised Welty 's use of language, myth, and symbol in this deceptively simple story. Irony is used to show the intensity of her struggle. Just when she gets "in the clearing" and feels "safe," she sees a buzzard, a reminder of death( as cited in the text)The old Negro women had such a big heart and so much love for her grandson she
References: Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, https://content.ashford.edu/books Holcombe, C. J. (2007). “Literary Criticism”. Retrieved April 18, 2011, from http://www.textetc.com/criticism.html Wiley-Blackwell (2003), Literacy Routledge. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. (2008 ) , Literacy Research and Instruction www.literacy.uconn.edu/litjrnl.htm www.litline.org/links/journals.html