A Worn Path

Analysis of a short story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty.

Lit.1

Characters:

Phoenix Jackson : Is the protagonist of the story. She is described in vivid colors, suggesting her lively nature: she wears a red rag in her hair and her skin is described as “yellow,” “golden” and “copper.” Her age is indicated by the way she moves вЂ" slowly, in small steps, with the assistance of a cane вЂ" and by the wrinkles on her face, which form “a pattern all its own . . . as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead.” Because of her frailty, her determination to continue on her journey highlights her resilience and perseverance. Old Phoenix sees the Natchez Trace as an obstacle course, one that she tolerates with a fair sense of humor.. She tells the animals to stay out of her way. Her dress gets caught in a thorny bush, and she tells the thorns “you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir.” When a dog causes her to fall into a ditch she cannot climb out of, she simply awaits help, her sense of determination never succumbs to defeat.

The Hunter :

He encounters Phoenix after she has fallen into a ditch, the unfortunate result of an encounter with one of his dogs. He helps her up, demonstrating his willingness to assist a person in need. But his subsequent conversation with her reveals his disrespect for her and biased attitudes towards African Americans in general. When he learns that she intends to walk to town, he assumes Phoenix is not able to make the long journey and he tells her to go home; he has no qualms about issuing the order.

The Nurse :

The nurse reveals information about Phoenix Jackson that the reader does not know during the course of her journey. The nurse, who represents society’s general attitudes, displays some sensitivity towards the woman, assuring the attendant that “Old Aunt Phoenix. . . doesn’t come for herself вЂ" she has a little grandson.” Knowing this the nurse still treats phoenix the same way that the hunter did because she and an old black women.

The Grand Son :

He is only mentioned in the story but he is the reason why Phoenix is making the trip to the town to pick up his medicine because he swallowed lye.

Setting :

The setting is in the woods along a path the various obstacles that Phoenix must over come to get to town. The time is from the early to mid 1900s in the winter. The place and time are appropriate for this story because it displays how phoenix is a such a strong willed person which could be futher explained from the theme.

Plot : The story opens on a chilly December morning. An elderly African-American woman named Phoenix Jackson is making her way, slowly but surely, through the woods, tapping an umbrella on the ground in front of her as she walks. Her shoes are untied. While she taps along, she talks to the animals in the woods, telling them to keep out of her way. As the path goes up a hill, she complains about how difficult walking becomes. It becomes evident that she has made this journey many times before; she is familiar with all the twists and turns in the trail. The plot starts to rise when Phoenix starts walking across a log to traverse a stream, she rests. She imagines a boy bringing her a slice of cake but opens her eyes to find her hand in the air, grasping nothing. The terrain becomes even more difficult, and at a certain point she thinks she sees a ghost, but it is only a scarecrow. She blames the mistake on her old age. She runs into a big black dog and she tries to hit him with her cane but she falls down. The climax is when the hunter points the gun at her and he asked if she and afraid and she said no. When he left she picked the nickel up he dropped from laughing after phoenix told him that she and going to town.

Theme

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