American Literature

A Short Story of Undying Love and Devotion

    A Worn Path (1940) is a short story written by Eudora Welty about the undying love and devotion of Phoenix Jackson to his grandson. Every year she goes to town to get the supply of medicine which his grandson needs in order to survive after he accidentally swallowed lye a few years passed (Welty, 1940). The throat of the boy is severely damaged that he sometimes experiences difficulty in swallowing and breathing. His grandmother is the only person in the world who can take care of him. So old Phoenix Jackson once again make the perilous journey to the city that cold December day.

    The story is told from a third person point of view. It emphasizes the natural symbolism of the surroundings. In this way, the reader can empathize with Phoenix with what she is going through, as her thoughts and actions are narrated. At the beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to Phoenix Jackson described as a small, Negro woman. Her name alone is very symbolic. Her name represents the mythical bird Phoenix of the ancient Egypt. According to myths, this bird comes out of Arabia every half of the century to Heliopolis, where it burned itself on the altar and rose again from its ashes, young and handsome. Phoenix Jackson is like the mythical Phoenix bird nearing the end of its life. In order to walk, she requires an aid of an old umbrella.  But though old and wrinkling, a golden color is running beneath her skin. Her cheeks are light up by a yellow burning under the dark and her eyes are blue with age. I think that the color of her skin represents the golden feathers of the Phoenix. She needs to prolong the life of her grandson who I think represents the next Phoenix of rebirth when she dies. The grandson is compared to a bird who wears a little path quilt and peeps out with an open mouth. Her trip to the city to acquire the medicine supply symbolizes the mythological journey that the Phoenix takes to the sun to die. She is too old and maybe this trip is the last for her.

    Indeed, she is not suited to take the long trips. She has to go one cold December morning in the woods where the dark road went down because of overhead live-oaks. The depressing darkness that the author has created to surround Phoenix in this scene does not affect her positive outlook. She is very determined to go and nothing can put her down. She first encountered a black dog. She was startled but was immediately ready to defend her self. She hit the dog with her cane and then she went in the ditch, like a little puff of milkweed. Here, the author makes a contradiction of the main characters strong will with her small, frail physique.

    Phoenix next encounter is a young hunter who repeatedly discouraged her from continuing her journey. He assumes that there is no important reason for the old womans journey.  In fact, he thinks that Phoenix is only going to town to see Santa Claus. Phoenix has no reaction after the hunter has made this comment. As described in the story The deep lines in her face went into a fierce and different radiation. I assume that Phoenix is not pleased by this statement. But then again, she saw that a nickel fell out of the hunters pocket. She picked up the nickel when the hunter was distracted by his dogs. When she finally pocketed the nickel, she sees a bird fly by and says to herself God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing. This action must be out of character that she is bothered by her conscience.

    When the dogs stop their fighting, the hunter once again focused his attention to Phoenix. I thought at first that he saw him stealing his nickel and he wants to reclaim it from her. He pointed his gun to her and asked her whether she is scared. She replies, replies No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done. By saying this, she is indirectly admitting what she did whether or not the hunter did see her take the money. The hunter puts down his gun and states, You must be a hundred years old and scared of nothing. Id give you a dime if I had any money with me. But you take my advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to you. I think at this point, the hunter experienced a change of heart. He no longer wants to prevent the old woman from going on in her journey. He realizes that he cannot order her to go home and she is bound to go on.  He realizes how strong her will is and lets her go on her way. I bound to go on my way, mister Phoenix tells the man, and they go off in different directions.

    Aside from determination, luck is also in Phoenix side. Her encounter with the man who helped her to get up also allowed her also to pocket a nickel. In crossing a creek by a log, she closes her eyes and trust in fate that she can get across safely. Arriving at the city, a lady helped her lace her shoes.

     Phoenix undying love and devotion to her grandson are the sources of strength for Phoenix to accomplish her journey. Her handicaps do not hinder her from taking the long and difficult journey towards the city. Though she encountered many obstacles along the way, she uses her inner strengths and prevails over every barrier. She relies on her trustworthy feet to guide her through the woods and not so much from her impaired vision. Her intelligence makes up for her feeble body. Her willpower makes up for her aged memory. But most of all, her love for her grandson is what keeps her going. She is truly a Phoenix at heart.