Literature Like a Mirror of the Human Reality: A Worn Path

Throughout human history, there has been always a unique type of personality with characteristics such as bravery care integrity passion, and confidence. in addition to other traits that make the person who is holding them a hero. And since literature has always been a mirror that reflects the human reality in her story A Worn Path 1941 Eudora Welty employs a very unique protagonist which perfectly fits the hero characteristic. 

Phoenix the protagonist remains brave and strong despite all the difficulties in her way she stood still despite the old age and despite the fact that even though nature wasn't so nice to her she ultimately succeeds to achieve the main goal at the end of the story. Therefore I definitely consider her as a hero. The best way to define the features that support her heroism are her courage endurance from the one hand her loyalty and persistence on reaching her goal for the sake of a person she loves from the other hand and she succeeds in achieving it at the end. the most important feature that shows phoenix as a protagonist is when she confronts all the challenging during the adventure in the story is a black female walking using a walking stick which as an example of a white weapon against her fears and support cane to support her physical weakness and nevertheless she insists to survive and defeat the difficult and dangerous journey to the far area depending on no one except on herself in order to get the medicine for her sick grandson. during the long adventure, Phoenix faces numerous obstacles natural one as wild and dangerous animals and the hard frozen weather and race once which is represented by a white man who mocks her for going through this journey as he says: why that's too far. That's as far as I walk when I come out myself and I get something for my trouble. Now you go on home granny.. doesn't the gun scare you and she answers: no sir I seen plenty go off closer by in my day and for less than what i done therefore she has a courageous and fearless attitude that shows that confronting with these obstacles seems to confirm her braveness and confidence which fears nothing and let nothing prevent her from reaching her goal derived from love and care.

Phoenix's heroism was shown by her selfless personality; she is loyal to her purpose. She does this journey and accomplishes it. She absolutely determined to save her grandson's life, although she faces so many difficulties, and the fact that she is physically weak doesn’t prevent her from continuing on her way. At the end she succeeds in getting the medicine, and not just that, she actually got with it a nickel, saving her pride and dignity. 'We are the only ones left in the world. He suffers and it doesn't seem to put him back at all. He going to last…I could tell him from all the others in creation.' This act seems to confirm that she is a lovable, selfless person who provides her full power to fulfill the needs of someone she loves and cares about; therefore she can be considered a true hero for having these traits. Phoenix is a persistent person who constantly strives towards the main goal, she never capitulates. These unique traits mostly appear in her insistence on going the same road with high optimism, even if she knows how hard it could be. 

Furthermore, I think that Welty chose her unique name for good reason, for sure her name is symbolic for the persistent character and the indefatigable woman she is. Whereas Phoenix is a mythological creature or bird, that lives for five centuries, an immortal creature that at the end of its life, it burns into ashes and comes back to life once again. And I think it strongly represents Phoenix the character in this story. Every time she keeps walking despite all the challenges in her road determined to achieve her goal, without complaining. Hence, these traits must be for a hero only. In brief, Phoenix is a strong example of a hero in our human life. She has a mix of powerful characteristics such as courage and persistence, which ultimately succeed to get her goal.