In the story by Eudora Welty, “The Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson is a complex character who defies a stereotype in a symbolic way. Welty's story describe Phoenix as the o;d lady who had to travel miles a day in order to prove to the other characters that her grandson was not dead. Having to prove that her grandson was not dead Phoenix had three traits of characteristics. She was loving, determined, and persistent. These traits help her to overcome being stereotyped and ultimately her overcoming these stereotype made her symbolic in the journey, her name, and the time frame in which the event happen.
As phoenix made her way to the town to get medication for her grandson who had swallowed lye two to three years ago (274). Phoenix walked miles every time which showed how much she loved her grandson. James states that “Phoenix is alive and has being successful in her errand carried out by love”.(70) Only a person who have love would travel miles without thinking what others assume the journey was truly about. In the article by James Saunders, “ The Eternal Quest of Weltys Phoenix Jackson” James paraphrase the line from the essay “ Is Phoenix Jackson Grandson Alive”. Stating the grandson plight was real and it made the truth of the story, which is the the story of an errand of love. James also refer to phoenix love as an endless love (69). Unlike James, Elaine Orr article “ Unsettling Every Definition of otherness” did not think that Phoenix journey was about love for her grandson. Rather, he quotes “ Phoenix purposes arises out of unreserved love for her grandson” (59). Contrary to critics and assumption Phoenix remain determine and persistent as she continue the errand. Having a knowledge of the path was not the only thing that show how persistent Phoenix was. In today's world most people struggle to make like as they are faced with difficulty and poverty. This was also a situation that Phoenix faced as walk the worn path but she persevere. Another