Analysis Of A Worn Path

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Recommended: Eudora Welty‘s, “A Worn Path”

“A Worn Path,” written by Eudora Welty, is a story about an old lady, Phoenix Jackson who faces obstacles of a poor life during the most repressed era of American History - The Great Depression. Poor colored people of the south “like Phoenix, they endured an endless struggle, if not against scurrying hogs, then against the thorny bush” explains what life is life during a racial charged time living in the south (Sykes 151). Phoenix Jackson overcomes negativity, difficulty, and impatience; yet, never loses sight of the importance of her biannual worn path to get medicine for her sick grandson. First, Phoenix on her path she encounters a white hunter whose sole purpose is to discourage her from continuing her trip to town after he sees her fallen on her back. His negative attitude towards people of color is proven with him saying, “I know you colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Clause” (Welty para 45)! Even though Phoenix …show more content…

Other than birds, snakes, and other animals that she fears; however, there are also thorn bushes that her dress snags on. Phoenix Jackson says, “Thorns, you doing your appointed work” she refers to appointed work because she is being discouraged from making her trip to town, for she has to walk for miles in order to get what is needed for her sick grandson (Welty para 5). These thorns represents her difficulty of the time during The Great Depression where money and education seem to be of great distance and out of reach. While going up a steep hill and out of breath Phoenix says, “Something always take a hold of me on this hill and pleads I should stay” (Welty para 5). She carries on even though she is tempted to quit and turn back after being on the hill top; thus, proving to the reader that she is unselfish and determined to do whatever it takes to finish her trip to town for a person that she loves so dearly; her

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