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A worn path literary analysis draft

one symbolism in Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path is explained in this paper.
Course

Writing and Inquiry (ENG 111)

73 Documents
Students shared 73 documents in this course
Academic year: 2011/2012
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Central Piedmont Community College

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DoeWilly Symbolism in Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path Welty uses a story of an old Negro woman named Phoenix running an errand out of love for her bothered grandson. With many physical and mental obstacles in her way, she still intends to provide for her grandson, and portrays the determination and dedication necessary to have strength in the face of adversity.

The struggles that Phoenix faces aren’t just physical, but involve her personal battle against her aging body and mind. She deals with forgetfulness as to her purpose for even beginning her journey to town, illusions of ghosts forming from memories of past burdens, and her conscious convicting her for acts on the borderline of righteous and unrighteous. The conviction was obvious when she picked up the coin that the man with the gun dropped and kept her for herself saying, “God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing.” These inner conflicts were just some of what she had to deal with on her heroic journey, while staying sane.

Along with those inner conflicts, there were also a multitude of obstacles that nature and society contributed to. The weather, rough terrain, wildlife, and current subjection to racism all affected her on her way into town. The effects of society are shown when racism was referred to throughout the story, but it seems most offensive when the man with the gun stereotypes all blacks together and speaks of them like children when he says, “You black folk, wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Clause”. We know Phoenix wants equality for all mankind, because whether in reality or a figment of her imagination, a “little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him”, but “when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air.” I believe that her accepting the marble cake offered symbolizes her wishes for blacks

DoeWilly

and whites to come together as one. She is aware of her obstacles, and she will make it to town and back despite of them.

The title, A Worn Path, implies that this is definitely not the first time Phoenix has embarked on this expedition. It simply proves that she is determined to be a source of hope for her grandson. The myth of the bird, the phoenix, symbolizes hope just as our elder character Phoenix does. According to theoi, the mythological bird is said to live a long life, then burst into ashes when it’s time has come. The interesting part of the myth is that a new bird then is born out of the ashes, and carries the healing powers of the phoenix bird with it. The bird is said to be able to heal people with its tears. In our story, we see Phoenix trying to heal her grandson by walking all the way to town in her old age, despite all the threats to her well-being along the path.

Welty uses imagery to make her relation to the myth clear. Phoenix is described wearing a red rag on her head, and with skin that looks as if a golden color ran underneath. The bird is also known for its red and gold colors in its feathers. We read many proofs that Phoenix is old and poor; like her apron made of bleached flour sacks and her intense wrinkles that form a “tree” in the middle of her forehead. Phoenix’s description is not like one of a human. Inhuman characteristics describe Phoenix’s appearance; and even her smell, when she says her hair has an odor like copper. The uneducated woman walks through the woods with no fear of her surroundings, as if she is an animal herself. All these animalistic qualities are an appeal to the myth of the phoenix bird. Many different interpretations contribute to the analysis of A Worn Path, such as the consequences and effects of historical evils, or simply how Phoenix is an advocate of hope and motivation to selflessly do good for people, but the symbol and connection of the bird is most intriguing.

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A worn path literary analysis draft

Course: Writing and Inquiry (ENG 111)

73 Documents
Students shared 73 documents in this course

University: Central Piedmont Community College

Was this document helpful?
DoeWilly1
Symbolism in Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path
Welty uses a story of an old Negro woman named Phoenix running an errand out of love
for her bothered grandson. With many physical and mental obstacles in her way, she still intends
to provide for her grandson, and portrays the determination and dedication necessary to have
strength in the face of adversity.
The struggles that Phoenix faces aren’t just physical, but involve her personal battle
against her aging body and mind. She deals with forgetfulness as to her purpose for even
beginning her journey to town, illusions of ghosts forming from memories of past burdens, and
her conscious convicting her for acts on the borderline of righteous and unrighteous. The
conviction was obvious when she picked up the coin that the man with the gun dropped and kept
her for herself saying, “God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing.” These inner
conflicts were just some of what she had to deal with on her heroic journey, while staying sane.
Along with those inner conflicts, there were also a multitude of obstacles that nature and
society contributed to. The weather, rough terrain, wildlife, and current subjection to racism all
affected her on her way into town. The effects of society are shown when racism was referred to
throughout the story, but it seems most offensive when the man with the gun stereotypes all
blacks together and speaks of them like children when he says, “You black folk, wouldn’t miss
going to town to see Santa Clause”. We know Phoenix wants equality for all mankind, because
whether in reality or a figment of her imagination, a “little boy brought her a plate with a slice of
marble-cake on it she spoke to him”, but “when she went to take it there was just her own hand
in the air.” I believe that her accepting the marble cake offered symbolizes her wishes for blacks

Students also viewed

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