Symbolism in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty

In the Worn Path by Eudora Welty her claims at the beginning of the short story were so cloudy, but progressively became interestingly has her character Phoenix Jackson who was the protagonist overlooked all the constraints laid before her. It was a short story Eudora Welty wrote and Phoenix Jackson was an old woman who laid down her life in supporting the wellness of her grandson who happens to be sick. Phoenix in the midst of all odds endeavors o embarks on a long journey full of obstacles. She made a trip down a worn path. Phoenix knowing how rough that journey would be still embarked on due to the undying love she had for her grandson since that journey will get her the medication to ease the illness of her grandson. However, there were a lot of forces Phoenix encountered that Welty's included in the short story that called for the victory of Phoenix's adventurous moves. Poverty, old age, and her journey through the woods were all that phoenix was supposed to overcome on the way.

To begin, poverty is seen as the greatest hardship that everyone would not like to experience, but in the protagonist's case in Worn path, poverty was a day-to-day experience that she was bound to face with the grandson. Since Phoenix was tired in the state of poverty, this old woman was denied the luxury of enjoying the good life as others do and must make do with what she can. Welty's made it clear as the old woman began her journey, it was precise that she lacked the money to pay of her transportation to and from town; therefore, she starts down her path carrying a thin, , small cane made from an umbrella. Although it was not stated in the story, we can deduce that Phoenix was not having money to buy a proper walking stick which could have helped her walk properly. Another instance that Phoenix portrayed poverty was when she felt it necessary to steal from a hunter she encountered in the woods. While the hunter walks away her sneaky fingers slid down and along the ground, under the piece of money with grace and care, they would have in lifting an egg from under a setting hen. It was clear that Phoenix was ready to do anything for her and the grandson’s survival. As old as she was, she knew that stealing was not the best option but she was left with no choice since that could pop up her survival. For instance, when an individual has an obstacle separating him from attaining what he wants, they end up doing what they can to achieve their goal no matter what stands in their way. In this case, Phoenix’s caught up with stress and frustration was ready to take what was not even hers thinking that she could get away freely. However, because of her perseverance and determination to better off the condition of her grandson, she journeyed he way through that worn path just to receive charity at the doctor’s office. This soothing medicine they give her is the reason why she makes this trip in the first place. However, since Phoenix had no money to pay for the medication the grandson needs, she’s always given the medicine for free. Poverty is an important issue in today’s society and it makes one be on guard to prevent any hard feelings.

Another overwhelming element in A Worn Path is Phoenix’s age. Welty wrote that she has numberless branching wrinkles which illustrate that she has many years behind her. Because of her old age, Phoenix lets her feet do the walking while her mind runs free and wild. At this stage, her age seemed to be an impediment since she could not use her vision to make her movement but rather her feet. As in our daily life, old people turn to often have a problem with keeping all their thoughts straight. Not only is it dangerous, but Welty's adds up to spice up her short story. Now the odds have gone up against poor old Phoenix. Welty carried on with this image of an old woman traveling a path as if she were sleepwalking. But as she approaches the doctor's office her feet knew to stop, and she appeared to have no recollection as to where she is going or what she is doing there. As she enters the office she stares off into space and for getting why she made her long trip. It seems that she has come all of this way and cannot remember a thing, except the daydreams she floated in and out of on her way there. However, one thing does stand out: the gold diploma seal in the doctor's office. At this stage Phoenix due to her old age forgets even the reason why she embarked on that long journey, her being an old woman, to recall the one the one reason for her being at the doctor’s place symbolizes something to her, as victorious but old Phoenix could not recollect why she was there. She had a certain document that lets her know that she was where she needed to be. It also stands for a prize, her grandsons' medicine. 

A good friend of Welty's adds that there are half-states, mixtures of dream and reality, or rapid shifts between the two worlds which are fact and fantasy. Ruth Vande Kieft also explains that A Worn Path is not the only story in which Welty's characters drift between dream and fantasy life. The odds against Phoenix are definitely taking their toll upon her. On an earlier page, 133, the author describes one of her movements relating to a baby. Is Welty trying to imply that Phoenix displays characteristics of a young child, not only in action but in thoughts as well? Some say that when someone becomes old, they start to revert back physically as well as mentally. As Welty shows the effects of old age, it is at this time that the conflicts become very apparent. This particular conflict is with herself. She is old and cannot stop the occurrences that take place to her body and mind as she grows older. Another conflict that contributes to the plot is Phoenix's journey through the woods. An obvious factor is a trip to town. Since Phoenix lives out in the country, she must walk a far distance to encounter any kind of civilization. The title A Worn Path implies that Phoenix has made this journey many times. Here the reader gets the impression that these are her marks and that this path is worn because of her. As she walks through the dangerous terrain, Phoenix encounters a bush which fails to let her by: Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Welty describes this path that Phoenix chooses as a sort of obstacle course. She must stretch and shrink her body in order to get through the almost impassable obstacles. Even though the path may be worn, it is as if something is trying to hold her back. Maybe it is a way of telling her that her grandson may never get better and in actuality, the medication she gets for him may not be working as it seems. Welty insinuates this by the conversation that takes place between the nurse and Phoenix. The nurse asks Phoenix if her grandson was any better since her last visit to the doctor's office for the medication. Now the reader can conclude that the medication may never cure him. However, with her determination and motivation, her feet keep on moving. Along with the thorny eduzaurus.com 2 / 3 bushes, a barbed wire fence and a log over a creek put her in great danger, but Phoenix continues to proceed with her journey. 

After all of these setbacks, she then comes face to face with a white hunter. Welty uses this white hunter as a conflict because it is relevant to the time the story took place. The reader can assume from looking at the date above the story that this was a time when racism was a problem. Therefore, the hunter nags her a while then pulls his gun slowly up to her. Phoenix replies I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day... What is exactly meant by this? One possibility may be that Phoenix feels the hunter caught her stealing. Phoenix also gives the impression that she may have done this before and gotten caught. Why would Welty add this to her story? It can be assumed that the date again has strong significance. Well, the possibilities are endless. But, it is clearly seen that these encounters that she faces are not common in everyday life. What do all of these setbacks add to her story? They offer the end of the journey to be more courageous on Phoenix's part and they give the reader a sense of open-heartedness toward Welty's character. This journey through the woods shows Phoenix's love for her grandson. With all of the hardships on this journey, love conquers all and Ruth Van Kieft states: There are no significant barriers to the expressive love of old Phoenix, and this is reflected also in her sense of familiarity with nature... 

This familiarity allows the reader to feel that Welty's character has a deep love for nature. In the story, Welty includes many conversations with animals during her journey through the woods. Basically, Welty's character appears comfortable with nature and does not see the journey as a burden, as does the reader, but as an adventure. Not only does her journey endanger her, but the fact that she is making this journey for the love of her grandson adds so much more to her effect of the story. Furthermore, these incidents indicate that Phoenix adapts to the dangers that face her, and allows the plot to then become clear. Welty catches the reader's attention by how real her short story seems. Even though many people may never experience Phoenix's problems, the descriptions and images she uses allow her to create a powerful story in which many feel they can relate to in some way. Her three major problems, poverty, old age, and some form of a journey, are all obstacles which all of her readers will one day face as they travel through their own paths.