A Worn Path By Eudora Welty

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There are at least three moments in the short story, "A Worn Path", in which the central character, the elderly Phoenix Jackson, might have abandoned her mission. On one occasion, the character, Phoenix Jackson, might have abandoned her mission is when she encountered quivering in the thickets by which all means and purposes was an indication of the possibility of an encounter with a wild and dangerous animal. Also, another occasion that presented a discouraging moment for Phoenix is when she had to traverse an arduous landscape that required her to climb a hill, cross a log over a creek, and wade through thorn bushes. Lastly, the moment at which Phoenix encounters the white hunter carrying the shotgun, who had the power and opportunity to …show more content…

Symbolism is defined as 'a person, place, event, action, or object that is not only limited to its actual meaning but also exhibits a more complex meaning or expresses an expansive range of meanings' (Kirszner and Mandell, pg. 328, 2012). As it stands, the characteristics of a phoenix rising from the ashes after death, only to emerge stronger than before, is similar to the strong countenance, tenacity, and strength of the frail and elderly woman, whom to those that meet her acquaintance underestimate her strength and resilience. Furthermore, just like the Phoenix, the attribute of resilience can be attributed to the character, Phoenix Jackson, due to the fact that she is very old, her physical and mental health has declined, she has survived the atrocities of slavery, and assumably has one remaining relative in which she cares for in her diminished capacity. In an analysis of Welty's work, "A Worn Path", scholars synopsize the resilience that her name seems to represent, " The second sentence of the story, "Her name was Phoenix Jackson," seems to suggest by its brevity that all she has left in life is her name and all that it implies. At the end of the story, the impression prevails that she has risen from the ashes for the last time" (Bartel, R., 1977). Lastly, scholars also attest to the

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