Phoenix Jackson In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

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Love is by far the most powerful force known to man, and has been fueling hope since the beginning of time. To those who have never been in love, the actions caused by it make little to no sense, and may seem completely irrational. However, these same actions make perfect sense to someone motivated by love. Eudora Welty, an author and photographer born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, wrote mainly about the attitudes of people growing up in Mississippi (Brittanica). Her short story “A Worn Path” is no exception to this story type, and portrays the previously mentioned truths about love through the character Phoenix Jackson. Though she may seem crazy and often fails to remember her grandson, Phoenix Jackson is motivated to complete her long journey solely by her love for him. …show more content…

Welty describes her as “very old and small,” as well as mostly blind, creating her to seem weak and frail: the last type of person one would expect to be trekking through rough terrain (418). Soon after this, her skin is described as having “numberless branching wrinkles,” yet with a “golden color [running] underneath” it (418). This contrast sets up an analogy within the story, able to explain an important aspect of Phoenix’s character. While the “numberless branching wrinkles” are symbolic of Phoenix’s old and worn body, her golden-colored skin underneath represents her unshaken will to persevere (418). Though Phoenix may seem aged and broken to those looking in from the outside, she is young and lively at heart, determined to complete the task set before

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