Essay Eudora Weltys A Worn Path - 655 Words

Eudora Weltys A Worn Path Throughout time, people have traveled the trodden course of life, overcoming obstacles along the way and grasping onto hope to strengthen their steps. In her short story â€Å"A Worn Path†, Eudora Welty communicates this timeless theme through the protagonist, Phoenix, who has traveled this path many times. Through her usage of dialogue and symbolism, Welty illustrates the lasting concept that people conquer hardships in life and ultimately prevail. Welty utilizes dialogue to portray how others belittle Phoenix and attempt to destroy her dignity in vain. Along her journey, Phoenix meets several people with look down on her for her old age. First, the Satan figure, the hunter calls her â€Å"Granny† and†¦show more content†¦However, the woman acts impatiently and snaps â€Å"what do you want, grandma?† This instance also does not phase Phoenix, who even calls her a â€Å"nice lady.† Lastly, the nurse speaks in a â€Å"loud, sure voice,† revealing her demeaning attitude toward Phoenix. When she asks about Phoenix’s grandson, she simply calls him â€Å"the boy,† though the nurse knows phoenix personally. Welty has the nurse use this term to show the distance between them. The nurse only views Phoenix as another charity and sees her â€Å"obstinate case† as unreasonably persistent. In addition to dialogue to describe Phoenix’s obstacles, Welty uses symbolism to convey the evil which Phoenix opposes. On the first part of her journey, a bush catches her dress. However, with â€Å"busy and intent† fingers, Phoenix easily frees herself. Then, she sees a buzzard on her path, but confronts the symbol of death fearlessly saying, â€Å"Who you watching?† Later, she meets a dark scarecrow representing Death himself and feels his â€Å"emptiness, cold as ice.† However, she defies him and even dances with him. Moreover, she encounters the black dog, a representation of ferocity, but swings her cane at him instead of succumbing to the fear. Welty reveals Phoenix’s faith in her life after death through her courage. Furthermore, though the road stretches out ahead of her â€Å"dark as a cave,† Phoenix holds herself with dignity and remains on her course. Lastly, when PhoenixShow MoreRelated Eudora Weltys A Worn Path E ssay1363 Words   |  6 PagesEudora Weltys A Worn Path Eudora Weltys A Worn Path is a story that emphasizes the natural symbolism of the surroundings. As the story begins, we are introduced to our main character, Phoenix Jackson; she is described as a small, old Negro woman. I believe that the name Eudora Welty gives our main character is very symbolic. The legend of the Phoenix is about a fabled sacred bird of ancient Egyptians. The bird is said to come out of Arabia every 500 years to Heliopolis, where it burnedRead More Realism in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path Essay1229 Words   |  5 PagesRealism in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path Eudora Weltys A Worn Path is a story that emphasizes the natural symbolism of the surroundings. The main character in the story, Phoenix Jackson, is an old black woman who seeks out to find medicine for her sick nephew. This story contains a motif, which is the continuous walking of Phoenix Jackson throughout her journey. She lives in the pinewoods and faces the challenging experience of walking through the snowy, frozen earth to get to the hospitalRead MoreSymbolic References in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path1378 Words   |  6 Pageswith a bones placed like an ‘x’ behind it symbolizes that it’s toxic or bad. 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It is at this point that all of Weltys readers hearts open up toRead MoreThe Lottery, by Shirley Jackson and Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path1694 Words   |  7 Pagesthem, so each reader will read each story differently. And even the same reader will never read the same story the same way twice due to things that may have changed in his or her life. In Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery† (509-15) and Eudora Welty’s â€Å"A Worn Path† (568-74) one reader my feel sympathy while another does not fill anything. So what is the  "correct† response to these stories? In â€Å"The Lottery† the author uses many different types of themes to inspire the reader to feel certain emotionsRead More Life Struggles of Phoenix in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path Essay769 Words   |  4 PagesLife Struggles of Phoenix in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty is a heartbreaking story about the heroic trip of an old African American woman, Phoenix. The readers wont find out right away the plot of the story or why Phoenix wont give up her exhausting trip to town-the conflict of this story-especially on a very cold day. The title, A Worn Path, indicates that Phoenix has obviously walked down this path many times before-also the fact that she can cross a creekRead More An Analysis of Eudora Weltys A Worn Path Essay865 Words   |  4 PagesA Worn Path – An Analysis       The short story A Worn Path by Eudora Welty, is a descriptive story of a grandmothers difficult journey, for a grandson she loves. Her devotion to her grandson and wanting to provide him with a better lifestyle, was her motivation to overcome these trials. On this trip, Phoenix Jackson, the grandmother, struggles against old age, nature, and reality.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Phoenix Jackson was certainly a dedicated old lady. She refused to give up, despite the oddsRead MoreThe Physical, Social and Mental Obstacles in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path657 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"A Worn Path† by Eudora Welty is a short story in which fulfills all aspects of literary connotations. Phoenix Jackson’s only true motivation to keep living was to help keep her young grandson live. While there are a multitude of literary elements and devices splurged throughout the story, some of the first ones to spot make the biggest impact. Phoenix Jackson’s name is revealed in the first three lines of text, and leads the reader to make an immediate assumption. She makes this trek over and overRead MoreEssay on Love Conquers All in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path590 Words   |  3 PagesLove Conquers All in A Worn Path      Ã‚  Ã‚   Love is a strong force. Love can make a person do strange and sometimes heroic things. Eudora Welty introduces us to Phoenix Jackson in A Worn Path, a story about the love that a woman feels for her grandson. Through the actions of Phoenix Jackson, the reader learns that love can conquer anything. This theme is demonstrated through Phoenixs determination, her ability to overcome obstacles, and her reaction to the employees at the clinic.    PhoenixRead MorePerspectives on Hope: Eudora Weltys A Worn Path, and Maya Angelous Still I Rise1594 Words   |  7 Pagesmatter how it is defined, whether it is a belief or a feeling, hope is the idea of something bigger than oneself. The application of hope can provide comfort, strength and encouragement. Eudora Welty’s â€Å"A Worn Path† is a story of one woman’s hopeful, determined journey. Overcoming every obstacle and distraction in her path, she perseveres in order to complete her objective. Similarly, Maya Angelou’s â€Å"Still I Rise† tells the story of strength and resilience during adversity. The poem is a celebration of