Worn Path (1940), Essay Example

This paper provides an analysis of the character ‘Phoenix Jackson’ from the story a Worn Path (1940) narrated by Eudora Welty. It is a short story based upon the experiences of an elderly African/American woman as she walks through the woods on the way to Town.  The paper examines the following aspects of her character: (i) Courage (ii) Determination (iii) Resolve (iv) Love and Devotion.

Synopsis of the story.

The Worn Path is one of the most studied pieces of short fiction. It has a central character of an elderly African/American woman called Phoenix Jackson. The story tells of her ordeal as she embarks on a walk from her home to the City of Natchez; the objective being to obtain medicine for a sick grandson.  During the course of the walk she struggles with symptoms of her age that include: fatigue, poor eye-sight and obstacles like barbed wire and thorn bushes.  Despite these obstacles she demonstrates a resolve and level of courage in her determination to fulfil the mission. Her poor vision is explained in the narrative where she mistakes a scarecrow for a dancing ghost until she gets close enough to see the empty sleeve.

Courage

A tense part of the story occurs where she meets up with a white hunter, who makes a sarcastic remark about her going to town in order to see Santa Clause. Adding to the insult he tosses a nickel  at her, then as she picks it up he menacingly points his gun at her. Seeing that she was not afraid she keeps the coin and continues on the journey.  Despite her fragility she stands up to the white hunter and shows that she is not afraid of his menacing behaviour.  She later frees herself from a Thorn Bush but overcomes the trauma and continues on ” She talks to the bush stating “Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush” (Example Essays, 2010). Another reference to her poor vision and courage in facing her personal obstacles.

Determination

When she arrives at the City she makes her way to the hospital where a nurse asks about the health of her grandson.  After a brief pause, Phoenix forgot about why she made the journey in the first place, she remembers  and tells how her grandsons throat was injured some years back when he swallowed lye. She receives the medicine and is given another nickel. At this point she decides to buy the boy a Christmas present of a toy windmill. Despite all of the trauma of the journey she is determined to see the mission through and combines this with self-sacrifice in spending her small amount of money on a Christmas present for the grandson.

Resolve

The resolve of her character is demonstrated throughout the journey to the City. Despite personal hardships i.e. the experience with the hunter, the encounter with the thorn bush and barbed wire. At all times she stays the course and is determined to reach the city in order to obtain the medicine for her grandson.

Phoenix Jackson is portrayed as a kindly figure that has a strong resolve, courageous and has perseverance in the face of hardship and death.  The story is full of symbolism e.g. Phoenix name is the mythical resurrection of the bird, the story contains many religious symbolism considering her journey as a pilgrimage of self sacrifice for the love of another.  The title of the worn path has roots in Christian scriptures and considers the act of self-sacrifice of which Christ is the ultimate archetype.

Love and Devotion

The love of her Grandson is demonstrated very early in the story when Phoenix states  “My little grandson, he sit up there in the house all wrapped up, waiting by himself,” Phoenix went on. “We is the only two left in the world” (Example Essays, 2010).  She contrasts the despair and hardships of her own life with the hope of love, care and devotion of her grandson and a better life for him. She clearly does not want her Grandson to suffer and have the difficult life she has experienced.  There is no greater love than the sacrifice one makes for the love of another.

Concluding Remarks

The author received a degree of criticism for choosing a negro woman as the central character of the story, considering this to have bigoted racial overtones. The counter-argument was that it required a simple, uncomplex character that could portray the sincerity and deep love of the child.  The story throughout makes reference to an elderly black woman living in a white mans world where she is shown little compassion or respect.  She portrays a life of hardship that is made tolerable by the love for a grandson and hope for a brighter future for him.  It is a worn road for Phoenix because it is a journey well travelled throughout he life and is symbolic of the same journey poor and oppressed people must endure throughout the world.

There is a sense of irony in the regard that most of the people that Phoenix encounters think of her as stupid. A misconception in terms of understanding the amount of pain, forbearance, knowledge and awareness that Phoenix has accumulated down the well worn path.

Works Cited

Example Essays. (2010). Phoenix Jackson walking the worn path. Retrieved 7 20, 2010, from Example Essays: http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/92865.html