Love and Perseverance
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Love and Perseverance
In her story, “A Worn Path,” Eudora Welty describes Phoenix Jacksons monthly journey through the pinewoods to Natchez to pick up medicine for her little grandson; who swallowed lye. As she makes her way along the path, Phoenix faces many obstacles–her old age, the cold December weather, people who discourage her, the path itself. Immediately following the introduction of Phoenix, the narrator describes the path Phoenix walks. Welty uses the path as a symbol to help illustrate Phoenix Jacksons strong will and perseverance.
Welty uses the natural features of the path to represent the obstacles Phoenix suffers in her long life. The first detail Welty offers about the path Phoenix walks is that it is uphill, suggesting the difficulty of her journey. Once she reaches the top, Phoenix takes a “severe look” back at what she has survived. Welty suggests that the path is ongoing. “Phoenix remarks, “up through pines now down through oaks” (92). She continues down the hill and when she gets to the bottom, she comes across a thorny bush and her dress gets caught. Phoenix says, “I in the thorny bush” (92). She cannot let the dress tear because it is the only one she has; this suggests Phoenix is poor. Phoenix talks to the bush with optimism, “Thorns, you are doing your appointed work. Never want to lets folks pass no sir. Old eyes thought you were a pretty little green bush” (92). Phoenix is not discouraged or upset; she understands that the bush is there for a reason. Instead she remains focused, not allowing this struggle debilitate her. Although this is a crucial challenge, Phoenix is able to persevere through her journey with her grandson in mind.
In addition to the natural obstacles Phoenix faces, she is confronted with her age and history. Phoenix is very old and fragile; she may be worn in her own path of life. Circumstances in her life such as being born into slavery, living in the post Civil War South, being the sole caregiver of her little grandson have made her a warrior to fight for what she believes in. Phoenix mention of the chains is in reference to the burden of history she carries and a reminder that she was born into slavery. Phoenix argues with herself, saying, “seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far” (92). She encourages herself to get through the obstacles she faces in her life of oppression. Phoenix observes, “something always take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay” (92). However, she does not stay; she continues to push until she achieves. Phoenix is a strong and powerful woman. The narrator describes how Phoenix frees herself form the bush, commenting, “Finally, trembling all over, she stood free” (92). Here, Welty suggests that though she has borne the brunt of slavery, she is now a free woman.
The love that