An analysis of Eudora Welty’s short story.
This paper discusses and analyzes the short story, A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty. Specifically, it looks at the character, Phoenix Jackson, and her passing adventures and discusses how small triumphs relate to life’s uncertainties. Old Phoenix is a strong and prideful woman who will stop at nothing to reach her goal. During her long journey for her grandson, she encounters dreams, harassment, triumph, and frightening experiences. The paper shows how Welty uses these experiences to flesh out Old Phoenix’s character, while also showing that she is a woman who has experienced much in life, but knows she has much more to experience.
Love is what makes Old Phoenix undertake this journey. As one critic says, It is the habit of her love that moves her (Arp 27). However, she triumphs in her journey, and that makes her a good heroine and character. She has little triumphs all along the trip, from getting out of the ditch to not tearing her skirt, and these triumphs all add up to success. Old Phoenix is a great character because of all the experiences Welty has created for her to conquer, and the reader wants her to succeed as she goes along. The experiences are a trial for her, and she triumphs over them in the end.