How Does Eudora Welty Use Symbols In A Worn Path

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“A Worn Path” is a story about an African American woman named Phoenix Jackson who travels through the wilderness and faces obstacles to get medicine for her grandson who is ill. In the short story “A Worn Path” Eudora Welty used a manifold of literary techniques in order to convey a deeper meaning of her story. Although there were multiple techniques used, symbolism was the most used and overbearing in the passage. Symbolism is the use of objects or characters that are used to represent something greater such as an idea or event in history. The first symbol is the character Phoenix Jackson herself. Her name is a mythical bird in Egyptian Mythology that represented power and strength. The mythical bird lived for five-hundred years then died …show more content…

The buzzard stalked Phoenix representing the everlasting presence of Death. The doves as well represent death “the mourning dove’s reminder of death…pulls her to stay and not go.” She agonizes and states “something always take a hold of me on this hill” these were thought of death. The doves call is a creeping reminder of death following Phoenix as she is close to passing in her old …show more content…

The passage takes place during winter in December Winter occurs at the end of the year , plants, and trees begin to die. Nature itself loses its color and is left barren until the return of spring. . The cold winds cover the wilderness and leaves the land free of life. This represents Phoenix’s imminent death as she continues age she also continues to become weaker and more frail, but like the nature after winter there is a rebirth in spring the plants begin to sprout. Phoenix’s grandson could be considered the rebirth or the season spring. As Phoenix reaches the town “in the paved city it was Christmas time.” The city was decorated with “red and green electric lights strung and crisscrossed everywhere, and all turned on in the daytime.” The bright lights gave the city a merry and joyous atmosphere. Phoenix had traveled a far distance and ran into many obstacles that slowed her down. In her old age and with her bad eye sight she was lucky to complete the trip to the town, Overall the lights were used to represent the celebration of Phoenix arriving at her destination Natchez,

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