Analyzing Eudora Welty's 'A Worn Path'

Module 13 Prose Essay

Maggie Wyatt

“A Worn Path” is a story by Eudora Welty that narrates an elderly woman’s trip through the woods. Welty uses certain literary devices such as setting, symbolism, and characterization to convey the theme that with determination one can succeed despite physical setbacks such as old age.

Eudora Welty’s protagonist in “A Worn Path” is an elderly African American woman named Phoenix. The reader gets a view into who Phoenix is from the characterization of her in the story. Phoenix is physically described as an old woman, “She was very old and small,” and “Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles.” However the woman’s spirit heavily contrasts with her age, “There she had to creep and crawl, spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb the steps.” Despite that Phoenix’s age makes hiking through the forest difficult for her, she continues going and refuses to quit. This shows the theme of perseverance and she is shown as having a tough spirit, and continues through the woods.

The elderly woman’s name is Phoenix Jackson, “Her name was Phoenix Jackson.” The woman’s name is a symbol as it is a reference to the mythical creature the phoenix.

As the creature phoenix is known as a bird that lives a long time, but when it dies it explodes into flames and then is reborn from the ashes. The old woman’s name is relating her to the phoenix, saying that she could live a long time and despite her old age her spirit is eternal. As if even in her physically weakest times her spirit and determination preserves, and will be reborn. This one piece of symbolism is reflective of the theme, and it shows who Phoenix is as a person, and it shows her ability to preserve though difficult feats such as old

age.
Eudora also explicitly uses the setting to help express the theme. As the setting for this piece is in the woods, “coming along a path through the pine woods.” The setting of the woods is beautiful and majestic, although the looks of the wood can be deceiving. As when Phoenix gets caught in the bush she says, “Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass—no, sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush.” As the bush’s appearance was deceiving to Phoenix, Phoenix’s appearance is deceiving to the reader. This shows the reader that looks are not always the best indicator of someone or something’s capabilities. This reflects the theme of determination because Phoenix overcomes the obstacles in her way, including the setting, whether the reader believes she can or not.
Although the reader doesn’t know Phoenix’s intentions in the woods, the reader cannot help but cheer for her as she succeeds through obstacles in her way. Phoenix is shown as a strong woman, regardless of her age, as she will not let her age be the reason she stops her mission. Welty uses the strong characterization, the deceiving setting of the forest, and the name symbolism to express her theme that determination can overcome all. As Phoenix’s determination allows her to make it through the woods and continue her journey.