A Worn Path By Eudora Welty Essay

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Recommended: Racism in literature

“A Worn Path” is a short story by Eudora Welty that talks about an old woman who lives in a time characterized by an out of control and rampant racial prejudice. The old woman is referred to as Phoenix Jackson in the story who a grandmother who lives with a sole motivation of nurturing her ailing grandson back to health. Grandmother Phoenix exhibits a strong love bond towards her grandson and is willing to do implausible and unusual things. Eudora writes her book through the central idea of an old woman showing her love to her grandson by conquering all odds against her. However, the reader does not get a clear picture on Phoenix’s grandson. We only get to hear about him since he does not make any appearance. Even with his little contribution in the narrative, it cannot be overlooked that he affects the plot by depicting the theme of love through motivation and emotion elements in his grandmother. The narrative is told through the mindset of Phoenix as she endeavors to cater for her grandson’s health. The author gives the reader …show more content…

However, the title tells us that she has made that trip long enough to cross the log on the creek with her eyes closed. Another conflicting factor we need to put into consideration is the age of Phoenix. Her conversation with the nurse at the clinic allows us to know that she was too old to attend school at her time implying that this was in 1865. At the very least, Phoenix has to be 80 years old. Therefore, unless the other character is her great grandson, she is past the age of having a grandson too young. Furthermore, the nurse states that the doctor permits Phoenix access to medicine provided she comes to get it. If her grandson were in a desperate situation requiring medical intervention, then she would make sure he gets the medicine. This is just another conflicting factor that supports the perception that her grandson is

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