Christian Values In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

In the story, “A Worn Path,” it is clear there is a lot of underlying meaning related to Christian values. Although the story doesn’t directly talk about the main character, Phoenix, being a Christian in any way, there are moments where she does have Christian values. This leads readers to believe that the author intended the story to have more than just a surface level meaning. The connection of a Christian worldview is evident in the way Phoenix has a selfless concern for her grandson, representing the true spirit of giving and self-sacrifice, and also the fact the story is set on a “worn path,” Phoenix experiences hardships much like how being a Christian isn’t always a clear path to follow. Firstly, Phoenix has always had a selfless concern for her grandson. By the end of the

This practice of thinking about others before ourselves is most definitely common in the Christian practice. In the Journal of Religion, the main point in the beginning of the article was defining the word agape. Agape is the Greek word to describe the unmotivated love of God for an unworthy man, which flows out with no trace of self-seeking from God (Goodenough). The Christian understanding of agape involves unconditional acceptance, and a concern for others. It’s a love which is communicating care through attitude and as well as physical presence. Although it’s impossible for a human to constantly have “agape” love, it is possible for God to love us unconditionally (Kierkegaard). In return, people like Phoenix from the story may view God as loving her unconditionally. So, as a Christian, it would be her responsibility essentially to be selfless and loving towards her grandson. Along with that idea, by the end of the story all she wanted to do was give her grandson his medicine so he would feel better. In a journal article titled, “Religion in Public Health-Care Institutions,” it stated in the introduction, “Attention to health and healing is a part of all the world’s