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With a cane, she is able to make a long walk from her home to the hospital, and only needs someone to tie her shoe because she cannot, because she is using a cane.
The tale is set in winter, in the South, after the Civil War. The lack of respect shown towards the poor woman who has walked so far may have a great deal to do with her race as well as her poverty and lack of education. Phoenix says she "never did go to school, I was too old at the Surrender." Notice that Phoenix calls the end of the Civil War 'the surrender' as many proud Southerners might which suggests the Southern point-of-view the 'correct' side surrendered, rather than simply saying that the war ended. The doctor also says: "She makes these trips just as regular as clockwork," reflecting the Southern dialect of the setting and also reinforcing the reason that the path that Phoenix had trod to the hospital is so worn....
Phoenix, the tale suggests, is undaunted by weather or by contempt.
In some ways, Old Phoenix represents the dead, old South, and a system where blacks were forced to labor for others during slavery. At least Old Phoenix now labors for her grandson, and the white people around her give her some aid, as opposed to demanding that she work for them. Thus her path also shows the ability of an oppressed people to create and give birth to themselves anew, even in the face of death and oppression. Because of her sacrifice, her grandson, who is free, will live. This is why the reader, after reading about the character's worn path, feels inspired by her travails, rather than saddened by her troubles. Although her aches and pains and life-giving power may not be fully memorialized on earth, her life is meaningful because it heals the sick, and generates goodness and love in the world.
Phoenix is however closer to a saint in her dedication to a cause, while Calixta is a human being who abandons herself at some point to the voice of desire and allows a few moments of surrender to the carnal pleasure that takes hold, regardless of her and her accidental companion's marital status. Welty's story is full of imagery, thorny bushes come to life and grab old Phoenix' dress, she
She does not seem to mind the cold, as she considers it to be effective in the thought that it prevents wild animals from leaving their shelter. Phoenix interacts with several white people in her expedition, and, while most of them treat her with disrespect, others actually understand her problem and help her in solving it. The hunter, the lady on the street and the receptionist express their racism through
Worn Path by Eudora Welty "A Worn Path" is recognized as one of Welty's most illustrious and often studied works of what is considered to be short fiction. Illusorily simple in scope and tone and, the story is made to be very structured upon a journey theme that joins a rich worth of figurative significance. As stated by Alfred Appel, "A Worn Path' goes way beyond its decentralization for the reason
Short stories are poignant pieces of literature, as pithy and powerful as poetry but in a more straightforward and relatable package. Like poetry, a short story relies on literary devices like symbolism and imagery, characterization and setting, to convey the author’s themes. Also like poetry, the short story reflects the cultural and historical context in which it was written. While the canon of American literature is rich with examples of
Elders, and especially elder females, feature infrequently as protagonists in literature. Phoenix in "A Worn Path" by Eurdora Welty and the grandmother in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor provide powerful examples of how elder women can exemplify core themes. Although they are from different backgrounds and have different life experiences, both elder women live in the south and share some common personality traits like stubornness. Neither
Symbol in Frost, Welty Symbol of Journey in Frost and Welty Welty's Journey is Transcendental/Social Frost's Journey is Satirical/Inspirational Style Both Frost and Welty Use Satire in a Gentle Way Welty's Style Moves From Satire Towards Compassion Frost's Style Moves From Satire Towards Self-Awareness Thematic Structure Welty Reflects all of life in her Thematic Structure Frost Reflects a simple event, losing one's way Form and Content Frost's poetry Allows for many interpretations The content can be read in varying ways Welty's short story Allows a