Summary Of A Worn Path

Rise like A Phoenix:

An analysis of “A Worn Path” A time of trial and tribulation, the early 1900’s often became a perilous experience for those who were of a skin color other than white, predominately the black race. New laws were made concerning the livelihood of black people at this time, often marking them as subservient to their white counterparts. Laws such as the Jim Crow era laws are examples of this. After the Civil War, life was very difficult for everyone, as the country had faced severe losses in the north and south, not to mention the conditions of southern land. After the Civil War, black people were technically free, but to have a life all of their own was a very difficult feat, as they had been provided for by their masters

In “A Worn Path,” Ms. Jackson is in the process of sacrificing so as to help her own grandson, to provide him with what he needs in his time of illness. Phoenix says, in the story, “ ‘My little grandson, he sit up there in the house all wrapped up, waiting by himself,’” The plotline and reason for this short story ends up being all about the well-being of Phoenix’s grandson. This results in Phoenix’s effort to exceed her duties, to provide her grandchild with more, because she loved him so much. Hofer depicts this idea, “Welty’s main character is the old Negro woman Phoenix Jackson. With her tremendous self-sacrifice and the love for her little grandson she frequently goes on an adventurous journey from the old Natchez Trace into town to get some medicine for her grandchild who swallowed lye some years ago…” In the end of the story, the main character leaves town with not only medicine for her grandchild, but a gift, as it is Christmastime. Phoenix does what she must to please and comfort her grandchild, providing him with mental comfort in the form of a gift, rather than only physical comfort in the form of medicine. This clearly characterized Phoenix as one who strives for more, who understands in exceeding the expectations of society, as she not only provides for the ones she loves but helps those whom she loves to