A Worn Path Phoenix Jackson Character Traits

A phoenix is a mythological bird that bursts into flames and is reborn from the ashes. This bird represents strength and perseverance. The protagonist in Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path” is named Phoenix Jackson. Phoenix Jackson is an old Negro woman on her way into Natchez, Mississippi for medicine for her sick grandson. Some readers may view Phoenix Jackson as a stubborn, foolish old woman; however, Phoenix displays her sense of bravery, dedication and pride throughout the story.

Phoenix Jackson is a brave character. In “A Worn Path” Eudora Welty tells how Phoenix, an old woman who uses an umbrella as a cane, pushes through the woods of Mississippi. One way Phoenix shows her bravery is her perseverance to make the difficult journey alone. Phoenix must battle nature as she climbs hills and crosses logs that runs across a river. Another example is when Phoenix comes across a huntsman during her journey. The huntsman points his gun at Phoenix and questions if the weapon scares her. Phoenix

responds, “No sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day.” (Welty). While Phoenix is with the huntsman a nickel falls out of his pocket. As the huntsman is distracted Phoenix takes the nickel for herself. Phoenix displays her bravery in this situation by showing she has no fear of the gun the huntsman is pointing at her or being caught by the huntsmen for taking his money.
Dedication is another one of Phoenix’s traits.

Welty describes Phoenix’s journey in “A Worn Path” as a hard one for an old woman. Yet, despite the challenges and distance, Phoenix pushes on. Phoenix suggests she makes this long trip twice a year mentioning how hard it is to make the journey with snakes and alligators in her way. Regardless of the danger, Phoenix still insists on going to town. Once Phoenix reaches Natchez she goes to a doctor’s office to retrieve medicine for her sick grandson. The attendant has pity for Phoenix. The attendant gives Phoenix a nickel. Phoenix says, “I going to the store and buy my child a little windmill they sells, made out of paper. He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing in the world” (Welty.) After her long journey, Phoenix doesn’t use the money to buy herself a meal or something for herself; instead she spends the money on her grandson. This is another example of Phoenix’s dedication to her sick

grandson.
Another character trait of Phoenix’s, Welty mentions in “A Worn Path”, is pride. Phoenix displays great pride in her appearance. As she pushes through a barb-wire fence “she had to creep and crawl, spreading her knees and fingers like a baby...she could not let her dress be torn now, so late in the day...” (Welty). Phoenix wants to look presentable when she reaches her destination. As she enters the city of Natchez Phoenix stops a woman and asks if she would tie her shoe laces. Phoenix tells her, “Do all right for out in the country, but wouldn’t look right to go in a big building” (Welty.)
Phoenix Jackson displays a strong moral character. Phoenix was unselfish and completely devoted to her grandson. Without her bravery, dedication and pride Phoenix would not have been able to complete her journey. Phoenix’s characteristics provide the framework of a strong woman. Phoenix took this tedious journey and wore away the path in her travels. Not many individuals would chose to take the road less traveled to help another. But Phoenix Jackson did, and she reached her destination because of bravery, dedication and pride.