Phoenix Jackson Symbolism

The short story “A Worn Path” is written by Eudora Welty. Eudora Welty uses a lot of symbolism in her story. The major character in the story is Phoenix Jackson. She is a static character who is old and determined to get her to do list accomplished. Phoenix Jackson is a coloured woman from the south. She uses her resources around her to make things such as an apron. Phoenix uses sugar sacks to make her apron. She is very thankful and fortunate when she gets money. She buys things for her grandson when she gets money.
In the story, Phoenix is the protagonist. Death is by far the antagonist and always watching her. Phoenix is an elderly lady with a crooked walk. She is among the less fortunate coloured people in the south. She carries a cane

with her wherever she goes. Phoenix is hardly ever able to bend to tie her shoelaces so she often walks around with them untied. She is a exceptionally caring and thinks about others before herself. Phoenix puts herself in danger to do deeds for others. She wanted to be a doctor growing up, but never got the chance to do so. Being a coloured lady from the south limited the hopes for her and her future.
Phoenix Jackson is on an expedition to go to town. She has to get her grandsons medicine. When he was a little boy he swallowed lye. Every now and then his throat swells up and it is difficult for him to swallow. She has been going on this long journey for three years. Along the way she meets some exhausting tasks. It is important for Phoenix to make it to town and back home that way her grandson can live and swallow to the best of his abilities.
On her journey to town many obstacles appeared. Phoenix has interactions with a hunter and his dog. He accidentally drops his nickel and Phoenix picks it up.The hunter is a white male. He thinks he is so much better than Phoenix because she is coloured. He is extraordinarily disrespective to her. The attendant at the doctor's office was also disrespectful towards Phoenix. After the attendant heard her story she was respectful and gave her money. A lady on the street was very respectful and tied Phoenix’s shoelaces for her.
Phoenix feels chains holding her down. The chains in the story obviously do not actually appear, but they hold her down. They can represent the chains of slavery. The major character overcomes the heavy feeling and is faces with another problem. She likes the idea of marble cake. Phoenix does not believe in segregation. Coloured people and white people are the same and should be treated the same.
The major character finds some complications along the journey. Buzzards represent death in the short story. The bush that catches her dress and sticks to her also represents death. The barb wire fence represents death too. Death is always watching her. It is not on her side.
Phoenix Jackson defeats many difficulties throughout the short story. Nothing physically changes about Phoenix. She becomes stronger mentally. She is able to overcome trouble better by the end of the story. The more she goes on her journey the stronger she gets mentally.
She is a one of a kind lady. She holds traits that most people cannot. She constantly thinks about other people no matter how hard her situation is. Most people are selfish and think about themselves without hesitation. She will go out of her way for others. She does not get treated very well, but she also does not get treated terribly. White people never have mercy for coloured people in the south. Phoenix Jackson was blessed and thankful for live the life that she did because it could have been worse.