When using symbolism in a story, in a movie or in life in general it helps you understand the meaning of it and lets you get deep inside the topic for a better understanding. Symbolism is a person place or thing that can be interpreted in a different way. A example of symbolism can be related to the religious world. Many people see a tiny edible piece as just another item to eat, but Catholics that attend church see it as a religious piece that symbolizes the body of Christ. You will also see symbolism when you see a navy blue star or when you see a eagle face, a football fan may look at that star as The Dallas Cowboys Team and the eagles head as the Philadelphia Eagles Team. In the short story “A Worn Path” lives a “old negro woman named Phoenix Jackson was a very small old woman but still sacrificed herself for the health of her grandson. Phoenix Jackson made a trip to town from Old Natchez Trace to get medicine for her grandson who swallowed lye in January. Phoenix Jackson must travel to Natchez by going through a path in the pinewoods. While Phoenix makes her way through the pinewoods she comes across many surprises. .Although Phoenix Jackson was partially blind because of old age, she has gone through this path more than enough times to know the sounds of animals and when things that may harm her are by her. This story was taking place in the 1940’s which is when racial discrimination was in play. After Phoenix crossed the log she decides to sit down and rest, while she sat she began to doze off and she imagines a little boy approaching her with a marble cake. The little boy bringing her a slice of marble cake in her dream was a representation of what she wishes the world around her was like, blacks and whites being e... ... middle of paper ... ...ples of literary techniques but the overbearing literary technique in A Worn Path is symbolism. As symbolism is mentioned throughout the story it is constantly relating to Phoenix Jackson and what she is doing, what she is going through, what around her. Works Cited 123helpmeEditors. “Symbolism in ‘A Worn Path’” 123helpme. N.p.,n.d.Web. 17 Mar 2014. Beller, Michelle. “’A Worn Path’ by Eudora Welty: Symbols and Themes.” Yahoo! Voices. Yahoo, Inc., 29 Nov 2008. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Schnaila. “Symbolism in ‘A Worn Path’.” College Essay Help and Ideas. N.p., 5 Mar 2012. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Writing Rock, Editors. “’A Worn Path’ Analysis Research Paper.” Writing Rock. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Welty, Eudora. “A Worn Path.” Heritage of American Literature. Ed. James E. Miller. Vol2. Austin: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991.12274.Print
Symbolism can be defined as “the representation of a reality on one level of reference by a corresponding reality on another” (“Symbolism” 564). The word symbol comes from the Greek word "symballein," which translates literally into “to throw together” and suggests the combining of two unrelated worlds. Much...
During the time period this story was written was in 1941 WWII had just begun, but not only that, but also of poverty that was a reality to many—particularly to blacks and people in rural areas. The title itself, “A Worn Path,” refers to life as the journey through a worn path. Obstacles that Phoenix Jackson faced shows the real-life hardships, lies, and aggressions, that minorities face. Despite its simplicity, Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path” does show us some of the greatest of life’s realities. The writer starts the story using racial description and symbolism to describe Phoenix Jackson.
The story I decided to analyze is “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty. A Worn Path is about a courageous old woman looking to find medicine for her sick grandson. The old woman is referred to as Phoenix Jackson in the story and her loss of memory and poor eyesight makes it difficult for her along her journey. Welty tells “A Worn Path” in third person limited point of view and uses symbolism and imagery in describing obstacles Phoenix faces as well as the love for her grandson which may have also aided in her perseverance along her journey.
Written by author Tim O’Brien after his own experience in Vietnam, “The Things They Carried” is a short story that introduces the reader to the experiences of soldiers away at war. O’Brien uses potent metaphors with a third person narrator to shape each character. In doing so, the reader is able to sympathize with the internal and external struggles the men endure. These symbolic comparisons often give even the smallest details great literary weight, due to their dual meanings. The symbolism in “The Things They Carried” guides the reader through the complex development of characters by establishing their humanity during the inhumane circumstance of war, articulating what the men need for emotional and spiritual survival, and by revealing the character’s psychological burdens.
“A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty. It is a story of an elderly black woman’s journey into town for her grandson’s medicine. Using lots of imagery throughout the story, the narrator tells us that the woman, Phoenix Jackson takes this dangerous journey out of love for her grandson who is in need of medicine. Throughout her journey, she encounters many people who are of great importance to the story.
“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty is an interesting short story, full of symbolism. This story is about an old African American lady named Phoenix Jackson. The story does not directly tells us that she is old, but we know she is old because she forgets the reason why she went to the town. Welty writes about Phoenix’s journey through the woods of Mississippi to the town of Natchez to get medicine for her grandson. Along the way, Phoenix encounters several obstacles in her way, which have symbolism and on the things she says on her way to the town. Symbolism is shown on the obstacles she encounters on her way to the town. The obstacles show and represent racism for example on the big dead trees, cake, and mistletoe. In her story “A Worn Path,” Eudora Welty used symbolism to demonstrate that determination and will enabled Phoenix to survive in life no matter how difficult the struggle was.
Symbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example:" In life there will always be peaks and valleys" meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is like a twist or words or the opposite of what is intended. For example: Laughing at someone that just slipped and fell, then later you find yourself slipping and falling is a form of irony. Irony is found in real life situations as well as writings. Symbolism is a technique that gives authors a better story and shows objects as more than what they are. They use techniques like this to catch the reader’s attention.
In almost every story, one can find symbolism throughout the text to help the reader better understand what the writer wants the reader to takeout from his/her story. Symbolism is something that must be analyzed and explored to experience a deeper meaning to the story. Sometimes, symbolism throughout a story may not be noticeable when first read, but going back to analyze the text can add a deeper meaning to words and can also help to enhance the meaning behind the story line. In some instances, symbolism can leave a reader to ponder what the writer is trying to express with the symbolism used in the story; for symbolism can be interpreted differently and can have many layers of meaning to it. Some good examples of short stories that use symbolism
Writers often use symbolism in the story to give a more vivid description rather than just saying, pictures are a perfect example. Symbolism is the art of using any object, place, name or anything that represents something rather
The title, "A Worn Path," is not only the actual path Phoenix travels throughout the story, but it also stands for the road blacks have walked on in order to reach freedom. Slaves had to walk many paths in order to escape their owners and the paths led to the freedom away from their plantations. Many slaves escaped plantations by walking all day and all night in wretched
According to Google, symbolism in literature is defined as the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism can be seen throughout media and in many pieces of literature including To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the book, the symbol of the mockingbird represents the character Boo Radley, and how his story teaches people to not always believe what others have to say about someone without being able to prove it true for themselves.
The story, "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty is a standout amongst the most noteworthy and as often as possible concentrated on works of short fiction. This story is occurred in the South. This district is regularly described by their discourse and propensities. Eudora Welty's dexterous utilization of tone and differing qualities in the story adds activity to make it appear to be all the more genuine. Imagery in "A Worn Path" shows Phoenix Jackson experiencing a progression of snags that speak to her battles to attain to her objective.
Since her story was published in the early 1940s, Eudora Welty’s essay, “A Worn Path,” has generated a number of discussions. Many of them have to do with Phoenix Jackson’s tenacity, strength, determination, and age. In her article on the subject, Professor Regina Dilgen underlines the importance of Phoenix Jackson’s age, and how it affects the outcome of the story. “Age is an important component of Phoenix’s identity as she makes her journey of love for her grandson, and she is of an older generation than all the other character in the work” (Dilgen, 2014).
... on foot and that alone is hard as it is. Eudora Welty shows her theme that with an adequate amount of determination and confidence we can tackle any problem or obstacle that is thrown our way and go the extra mile to reach our objective that we had set. Of course being restrained by time and age, Phoenix still fights and steps forward to a goal which is very significant to her heart; she doesn’t allow any barrier get in her way. Phoenix Jackson being the main character of “A Worn Path” is clear
In Eudora Welty’s, “A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson went great lengths risking her own life for her grandson, who couldn’t help himself. On her worn path she faced the world with courage. Although she faced difficulty in her early life, her faith remained the same to help those who were dear to her heart. She walk a worn path relentlessly facing obstacles along the way with a mind that is diminishing overtime. Through the problems that she is faced with, she remains humble. She is admirable because considering her old age, weakness and loss of memory, she is determined. Welty’s details of character, symbolism, conflict and theme creates a compelling and fierce Phoenix Jackson. The moral message in this short story is to show the setting and characterizations