worn path essay
American Experience, period 6
20 Oct , 2013 The Cycle of Life in “A Worn Path” Stories often function on two levels; the literal and the symbolic. The symbolic level is typically more subtle than the literal one, but offers a deeper richer message to the reader. The symbolic level of the story, “A Worn Path” shows the reader how a one day journey can represents the longer lifetime experience of a person. The elements of “A Worn Path” emphasize how the main character reacts to lifes challenges, disappointments, misfortunes, unexpected surprises and simple pleasures. Phoenix Jackson shows the reader how her slow pace and curiosity allows her to live life to the fullest.
This story is about an old woman named Phoenix who travels a long distance to get to town. To get medicine for her grandson who drank lye and injured his throat. The lye caused his throat to close up and has made it hard for him to swallow and breathe. His condition clearly is not getting better because Phoenix has had to make a trip for the medicine several years in a row. For a woman of her advanced age she is extremely determined, hearty, courageous and not hindered by any of her physical or mental limitations: her poor vision; her weak body that causes her slow pace; her lack of education; and her loss of memory. In the end, she manages to overcome many different types of obstacles to obtain medicine from the nurse for her grandson.
There are several symbols in the story that support this thesis, one being the worn path. The “worn path” is the title of the story and is the backbone of the piece. Although the path is familiar, the things she encounters along the path change each time she takes it. In a previous year, she had encountered a snake with two heads while this year she comes across a scarecrow and an angry dog. In a similar way, events during the year such as seasons and birthdays can be expected while things like deaths and accidents can come as a surprise. Phoenix
20 Oct , 2013 The Cycle of Life in “A Worn Path” Stories often function on two levels; the literal and the symbolic. The symbolic level is typically more subtle than the literal one, but offers a deeper richer message to the reader. The symbolic level of the story, “A Worn Path” shows the reader how a one day journey can represents the longer lifetime experience of a person. The elements of “A Worn Path” emphasize how the main character reacts to lifes challenges, disappointments, misfortunes, unexpected surprises and simple pleasures. Phoenix Jackson shows the reader how her slow pace and curiosity allows her to live life to the fullest.
This story is about an old woman named Phoenix who travels a long distance to get to town. To get medicine for her grandson who drank lye and injured his throat. The lye caused his throat to close up and has made it hard for him to swallow and breathe. His condition clearly is not getting better because Phoenix has had to make a trip for the medicine several years in a row. For a woman of her advanced age she is extremely determined, hearty, courageous and not hindered by any of her physical or mental limitations: her poor vision; her weak body that causes her slow pace; her lack of education; and her loss of memory. In the end, she manages to overcome many different types of obstacles to obtain medicine from the nurse for her grandson.
There are several symbols in the story that support this thesis, one being the worn path. The “worn path” is the title of the story and is the backbone of the piece. Although the path is familiar, the things she encounters along the path change each time she takes it. In a previous year, she had encountered a snake with two heads while this year she comes across a scarecrow and an angry dog. In a similar way, events during the year such as seasons and birthdays can be expected while things like deaths and accidents can come as a surprise. Phoenix