A Worn Path, Essay Example

“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty: Theme and Symbolism

The story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty tells about the trip which an old Negro woman Phoenix Jackson does. Readers follow the woman on her way through the woods. The author focuses readers’ attention on the motive of way from the first lines.  “A path through the pinewoods”, “a long way”, and “the path ran up the hill” relate to the major idea of the story (Welty 1). The main theme relies on the concept and symbolic meaning of the path, which constitutes the plot of the story.

Phoenix Jackson works her way persistently through the thicket of pinewoods on a bright, frosty morning. She knows the way perfectly well due to the remarks she makes. “Up through pines,” she said at length. “Now down through oaks” (Welty 1). These comments refer us to the title of the story. Phoenix has passed through the woods many times; it is her “worn path”.  We also perceive the beauty surrounding the heroine, while she is marching. Phoenix names different animals and plants that speak of local color, enabling to analyze the story from regionalism point. We can vividly imagine the visual image of picturesque landscapes seen by Phoenix, with cones “as light as feathers”, walking quails, strings of trees silver (Welty 1). Author emphasizes the beauty of nature by contrasting its extend description to the image of the town. The “shining” Natchez was town attracts by electric lights turned on in the daytime (Welty 5). Time setting offers another aspect of interpretation. The events are set during the Christmas holiday, which hints some religious message. One of them is the comparison of the trip with religious pilgrimage.

It is not an easy thing for the old woman; and she and helps herself with a thin cane. Nevertheless, she can walk with her eyes closed. Besides, some obstacles prevent from continuing the trip. Bushes catch her dress, “because her skirts were full and long, so that before she could put them free in one place, they were caught in another” (Welty 1). She has also to march across the creek. Nevertheless, not only the nature complicates the trip.  Phoenix feels the chains around her feet. The motif of chains discloses the peculiarities of the social position connected primarily with her skin color. The author dwells on the problem of social status of the Negro woman in the episode of the meeting with a white hunter. He names her “Granny” and, at first, he seems polite (Welty 3). Then it becomes evident that his words imply familiarity instead of respectful attitude to the elderly woman. The hunter claims: “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Claus!” (Welty 3) He pointed his gun at the woman to scary her, and advised her to stay home. The same scornful attitude the old woman endures in the hospital from the attendant who identified her “a charity case”. The nurse marked her “charity” in a book (Welty 5).

The author describes in detail the surroundings, but pays no attention to disclosing the goal and destination of the trip. Phoenix repeats all the way through that she is bound to go. The plot is intriguing due to the named uncertainty. The chief event of the plot seems just an ordinary trip until the goal of it becomes known. The target of this exhaustive “pilgrimage” reveals in the climax of the story. She walks to the hospital of Natchez to receive medicine for her grandson.  The motif of devotion concerns the figurative aspect of the path. The hardships, Phoenix has to overcome, symbolize woman’s self-sacrificingness. She can survive everything for her ill grandson. The boy swallowed lye few years ago and needs soothing medicine occasionally. She can overcome “chains about her feet”, fear of wild animals, humiliation on racial background, senile ailment. The name of the woman “Phoenix” sounds naturally determined here. It is derived from the name of bird returning to life from the ashes. It is rather symbolic, meaning all the suffering the heroine faces. The author keeps the readers in suspense to the end of the story. She does not clarify if the grandson of Phoenix is still alive. It intensifies tragic features in the character of the old woman.  Though multiple readers’ interpretations are possible, the chief theme is the way done by the old Negro woman despite hardships, social conflicts, and poor health. The plot is based on the fusion of regional elements, possible religious aspects, and racial inequality issues. The trip seems a usual thing in the first pages, acquiring specific meaning in the climax of “A Worn Path”. Phoenix Jackson embodies stamina, devotion, self-sacrifice. Nothing can stop her to get treatment for the sick grandson.

Works Cited

Welty, Eudora. “A Worn Path”. 24 July , 2010. <http://www.myteacherpages. com/webpages/rgunnar/files/_A%20Worn%20Path_%20Text.pdf>.