Phoenix Jackson in Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" has been compared to the mythological phoenix because of her birdlike qualities, and it's also been noticed that Phoenix possesses many of the same characteristics as Christ. But, what hasn't been addressed is the fact that Eudora Welty didn't just leave the symbolism to Christ alone. Welty also included many biblical allusions as well. Phoenix Jackson is not only symbolic of the mythological bird that rose from the ashes of its own demise or simply a Christ figure comparable to the Son of God, but she is also a biblical hero facing temptation and trials along her journey and succeeds unharmed and steadfast in her faith.
Since Welty's tale is such a simple one, readers are forced to find the more obvious symbolism and then must delve deeper into the text to find the more meaningful symbols. In the second paragraph, Phoenix's skin is described as having "a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead." An obvious example of Christ symbolism is the tree being a symbol of life and knowledge gained through the acceptance of Christ. Further analysis of the tree symbol could also conclude that like Christ, trees provide shelter and protection while remaining patient and impassive and still harbor an appearance of imperialistic grace. Most would probably be content to continue comparison between Christ and Phoenix, but one small, almost unnoticed action separates the two. "Her fingers slid down and along the ground under the money with the grace and care they would have had in lifting an egg from under a sitting hen. Then she slowly straightened up, she stood erect, and the nickel was in her apron pocket...Her lip...
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... ailment and she knows that "faith will heal the sick" (James 5:15). Phoenix is so confident in her faith that even while traveling through silent cornfields, crossing streams, and braving a swamp, she makes the journey with her eyes firmly clamped shut. For as it says in Scripture, "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
For such a simple tale, "A Worn Path" is full of hidden symbols and allusions. By realizing that Phoenix Jackson is a biblical character as well as a Christ figure, Phoenix assumes a more human image. Rather than carrying the image of a gentle demigod, Phoenix's sin allows readers to relate to a concerned grandmother who is doing everything in her power to heal her ailing grandson. But, I am sure that most will agree with me that "all things have a fervent love for one another for 'love will cover a multitude of sins'" (1 Peter 4:8).
"A Worn Path," by Eudora Welty is a heartbreaking story about the heroic trip of an old African American woman, Phoenix. The readers won't find out right away the plot of the story or why Phoenix won't give up her exhausting trip to town-the conflict of this story-especially on a very cold day. The title, "A Worn Path," indicates that Phoenix has obviously walked down this path many times before-also the fact that she can cross a creek with her eyes closed confirms the title's message.
The protagonist of this short story is Phoenix Jackson. She is portrayed as a lively person because of the vivid color descriptions given by the author. Her complexion is described to have yellow, golden and copper colors. This colors state she is a black woman. The author uses imagery to shows us that Phoenix is
We are told of Phoenix?s journey into the woods on a cold December morning. Although we are know that she is traveling through woodland, the author refrains from telling us the reason for this journey. In the midst of Phoenix?s travels, Eudora Welty describes the scene: ?Deep, deep the road went down between the high green-colored banks. Overhead the live-oaks met, and it was as dark as a cave? (Welty 55). The gloomy darkness that the author has created to surround Phoenix in this scene is quite a contrast to the small Negro woman?s positive outlook; Phoenix is a very determined person who is full of life. As Phoenix begins to walk down the dark path, a black dog approaches her from a patch of weeds near a ditch. As he comes toward her, Phoenix is startled and compelled to defend herself: ?she only hit him a little with her cane. Over she went in the ditch, like a little puff of milk-weed? (55). Here, the author contrasts the main character?s strong will with her small, frail phys...
In the short story "A Worn Path," the message that Eudora Welty sends to the readers is one of love, endurance, persistence, and perseverance. Old Phoenix Jackson walks a long way to town, through obstacles of every sort, but no obstacle is bad enough to stop her from her main goal. She may be old and almost blind, but she knows what she has to do and won't give up on it. Her grandson has swallowed lye, and she has a holy duty of making her way to town in order to get medicine for him. The wilderness of the path does not scare her off. She stumbles over and over, but she talks herself through every obstacle. Undoubtedly, the theme of perseverance is what Eudora Welty wants to point out to her readers. Just like the name Phoenix suggests
In the modern short story, Eudora Welty clearly develops Phoenix Jackson as a main character who indirectly manipulates other people. Phoenix, as the speaker in “A Worn Path” holds the status of an old Negro woman who continues the everyday cycle of life. Although, in reality Phoenix is an average human being, who feels she must be rewarded for living. Phoenix believes that humanity owes her something for the troubles she encounters throughout her lifetime. When Phoenix says to the hunter, “that’s as far as I walk when I come out myself, and I get something for my trouble” (paragraph 46). Incidentally, Phoenix replies to the old hunter’s question it is quite clear that she undoubtedly is expecting compensation; whether it is a pity party or a monetary gift to settle the score. Because Phoenix feels like she must abuse other people, she appears to have the power to be in control of any situation that might come her way. Throughout Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix Jackson and her actions symbolize her to be a selfish and manipulative woman.
In the story A Worn Path, Eudora Welty shows an old woman living in a time period where racial prejudice is rampant and out of control. Phoenix Jackson is a grandmother whose only motivation for living is to nurture her grandson back to health. The strength of love may make people do or say unusual and implausible things. The central idea of this story is that love can empower someone to over come many life-threatening obstacles. The idea is shown when an old woman conquers all odds against her to show her everlasting love for her grandson. Throughout the story Phoenix Jackson has to overcome many types of obstacles that hinder her in her devotion to help her grandson.
Welty tells the story with “some dreams and harassments and a small triumph or two, some jolts to [Phoenix’s] pride, some flights of fancy to console her, one or two encounters to scare her, a moment that gave her cause to be ashamed, a moment to dance and preen…” (quoted in Moberly, 109). The early harassments evoke symbols of slavery such as coming through the “dark pine shadows” in slave garb, “dark striped dress…an equally long apron of bleached sugar sacks…all neat and tidy” (Roberts, 95). The “chains about my feet” and the uphill climb is descriptive of literally being a slave in chains. Being caught in the “pretty green bush” (Rogers, 96) that turns out to be a thorn bush is a figurative hard worn path to equal rights, with unseen snags and pitfalls. “Purple stalks” (Rogers, 96) and the buzzard and through the “old cotton” (Rogers, 96) represents the mourning of the African American people,...
“A Worn Path” tells of an elderly and frail black woman and of the hardships that she must overcome. Upon reading the story, you realize that there is more to the story than meets the eye. She faces many roadblocks along her way. Phoenix faces many dangerous obstacles along her way, for a person of her age. She faces racism from some of characters she meets along the way. Phoenix faces inferior treatment, as though she is nothing more than some insect to squash. This story is about not only her ‘journey’ to Natchez, but also about her journey through society and the struggle to overcome the dangers, being treated inferior, and the racism.
“A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty. It is based on an elderly African-American grandmother named Phoenix Jackson, who goes for a walk to the town of Natchez on a cold December morning to get some medicine for her ailing grandson. This story speaks of the obstacles Phoenix endured along the way and how she overcame them. The theme, central idea or message that the author wishes to convey to his or her readers, in “A Worn Path” is one of determination. Phoenix Jackson is determined to get to Natchez, in order to get medicine for her grandson; she does not let any obstacles get in her way. The theme of determination is shown in many ways throughout this short story.
Welty uses her main character, Phoenix, to portray colored people who represent the fight for freedom. When Phoenix is described in the beginning, she is wearing a “red rag” and a “dark striped” dress (Welty 212). The red rag represents...
'A Worn Path' is the tale of the unstoppable love and care of a grandmother for her grandchild. Phoenix Jackson is Eudora Welty's main character and protagonist in A Worn Path.? Phoenix is an old, frail woman who attempts to proceed on a long and treacherous journey through the woods to Natchez. Phoenix strives forward despite frequent obstacles in her way that include her own failing health and her grandchild's slim chance of survival. As she takes this prolonged trek across the woods, many of her characteristics are revealed. Her tenacity, senility, and consideration that she displays throughout her long worn path emphasize her character.
Phoenix Jackson, in “A Worn Path”, written by Eudora Welty, is an old negro woman living in poverty. She lives a lonesome life with her ill grandson, fighting to keep him by her side. Ever-so-often Phoenix journeys out on an life or death path in order to obtain medicine for her grandson who has swallowed lye, which causes his throat to close up and prevents him swallowing anything. Although, as easy as it may sound to simply receive the medicine and return to her grandson, we must keep in mind that she has aged quite a bit and also that there are many occurrences in which impede Phoenix’s journey. Eudora Welty, in “A Worn Path” establishes characters such as The hunter, The nurse and Mother Nature, in order to interfere with Phoenix Jackson’s
In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, an old grandma by the name of Phoenix, makes her way through the many hindrances opposing her from getting her sick grandson medicine. Throughout Phoenix’s journey, Welty covers the many obstacles facing women in the 1940’s. Something that I found interesting was how Welty emphasized the old age of Phoenix as something that she had to overcome to make her journey. In the beginning of this story, Welty starts off by telling us that “[h]er skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead,” just to make that we could visualize how old Phoenix actually was (Welty 848). Besides old age, racism makes its way in the story as well. The
Barnhisel states that "Phoenix Jackson's name is a reference to a legendary fowl called 'phoenix'." This fledgling's natural surroundings is out in the desert and lives for 500-600 years. The fowl sets itself ablaze, to rise again from its own particular fiery remains (Barnhisel). This symbolizes godlikeness. A few religions really trust in rising once more, much the same as Christ. As per Rachel Lister, Welty depicts Phoenix as a single little fledgling. Lister expresses that "some [birds] include unmistakably in the story; some symbolize the delicacy of Phoenix and her grandson and others are more vile and appear to augur passing." In the story, Phoenix sees a sway white "stuffed" in the seeker's sack, "its snout snared astringently to reveal to it was dead (Welty 32). This picture wavers advances and in
The reason is that many of us have (or had in my case) in our lives an elderly parent. When I tried to think of Phoenix’s face, I see no other than my grandmother’s, an eighty years old black woman, who passed away in 2009. Having lost my mother at an early age, like Phoenix to her grandson, my grandma was the only mother figure I knew. Also like Phoenix, her love and devotion toward my brothers and me were without boundaries. My personal story gives me a better comprehension of the Phoenix’s struggle and helps to sympathize with her. Instead of being cared for at her age, she is harassed and neglected. The author describes her as a very frail African-American woman whose eyes are blue with age. In my opinion, Phoenix’s age is experience endurance. As Professor Dilgen noted, “Although she will not give up, Phoenix acknowledges the very real challenge she faces as an elderly person” (Dilgen, 2014). She has lived long enough to understand the danger she faces taking this road alone; however, she counts on her wisdom to guide her throughout the way. She continues the road relying on her own perseverance, willing to sacrifice her health throughout the road. The weakness of her body, the