Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

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Eudora Welty’s Phoenix Jackson, the old African American woman in “A Worn Path,” is primarily an altruistic human being. Welty gives us a picture of Phoenix when she states that, “She wore a dark striped dress reaching down to her shoe tops, and an equally long apron of bleached sugar sacks, with a full pocket: all neat and tidy, but every time she took a step she might have fallen over her shoelaces, which dragged from her unlaced shoes” (par. 2). Despite Phoenix’s ragged appearance, she is on an important journey to alleviate the suffering of her dear grandson, which brings upon an enlightened and enduring characteristic about her. Welty reveals Phoenix’s qualities in three areas of the story: Phoenix’s name, the journey, and the visit to …show more content…

This proves just how self-sacrificing she is. Throughout her journey, Phoenix must overcome obstacles that are intended to prevent her from achieving her goal. She is confronted with both natural obstacles and racially tense encounters, yet she works through them with dignity, grace, and cleverness. Additionally, a courageous quality is brought out in Phoenix while on her journey, especially during her encounter with the hunter. After the hunter points his gun at Phoenix and she does not respond in fear, he tells her that she “must be a hundred years old and scared of nothing” (par. 59). During her long journey, Phoenix becomes exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but remains optimistic. Her faith in God and love for her grandson pushes her through this journey, and although her physical condition is feeble, her powerful mindset allows her to carry on with purpose. When Phoenix reaches the clinic, she is treated with disrespect and the attendant assumes that she is a “charity case” (par. 72). However, this demoting accusation makes Phoenix’s character even stronger. The hostility of the attendant does not stop her, as she is on a mission. She endures the humiliation in order to get medicine for her grandson that will relieve his suffering. Phoenix’s main focus is to retrieve her grandson’s medicine, and this shows how selfless that she

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