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Phoenix's Journey In A Worn Path

170 Words1 Pages
Phoenix's trip. In the short story A Worn Path by Eudora Welthy, an elderly woman, Phoenix, makes a physically demanding journey to get medicine for her grandson, whom, as we find out at the end of the short story, may or may not be alive. I believe that the short story’s parallels the path through life: each individuals path through life can be physically stressful, combating things that we aren’t prepared for, but push through, much like Phoenix’s struggles through her journey. Also, much like Phoenix’s tendency to mistake objects for other things only to realize their true properties later, on the path through life people jump to conclusions, seeing a situation or person a certain way, only to change their opinion later. I believe that
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Pheonix Jackson’s grandson is dead because she shows signs of dementia, she hesitates when asked about how the boy is doing, and she says words that imply the boy isn’t changing. The story “ A Worn Path” follows the difficult trip routinely made by Pheonix on foot to a nearby town for her grandson’s medicine which he needs for his swollen throat. Pheonix shows signs of dementia which would affect her perception of reality and her grandson being alive or dead. In the line, “At first she took it as a man,” referring to her encountering a scarecrow, Pheonix shows that her senses are inadequate enough to believe a scarecrow is a man dancing in a field (762). Pheonix is more reliant on her body remembering the trail than her sense of sight

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339 Words | 2 Pages

The story of Phoenix Jackson and the Narrator are based on the point of view of both the writers. “A Worn Path” is a story of a small, old, African American woman with wrinkles, who wore an apron bleached sugar sacks, hold a cane made from umbrella and shoe laces that are dragging, walking down the winter landscapes and describing everything she notices. While, “The Lone Ranger” is a story of a typical Native American youth, who is recounting his view of his society and struggles with identity, alcohol, and family relationships. The two characters have a few things in common and are opposite from each other. Even though staying in a marginalized environment, she is determined to do miles of walking to the urban area where she have to face

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485 Words | 2 Pages

Also like Everyday Use, A Worn Path takes place at a time in the 1900s when racism existed. Just like Mama, Phoenix also takes care and protects a child. However, the child she takes care of is her grandson. Many years ago, her grandson swallowed lye. This is a strong substance which is used in making soap.

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1083 Words | 5 Pages

This exemplifies how intergenerational trauma has left victims desiring to be loved. Phoenix leaves the St. Vital Center and makes her way across town to her uncle's house. Phoenix decides to walk in the cold for hours until she has "lost feeling in her legs" (Vermette 25), all to impress her uncle. Phoenix’s decision to walk to her uncle’s house instead of asking for help continues to reveal to the reader how Phoenix has adopted a mindset of not showing weakness by asking for help, all while trying to gain admiration from her uncle. Additionally, as soon as she arrives at her uncle's house, she begins to plan ways to make her uncle happy.

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1718 Words | 7 Pages

Whether Phoenix makes the journey because of the trauma causing her to relive experience, or because she is in denial, or if she does it to honor him, it does not change the fact that Phoenix persevered in order to reach the goal of acquiring the medicine. Phoenix makes it to her destination despite having to walk through a dead and dangerous land in order to keep the memory of her grandson alive because she is a strong and courageous women with a deep love for her grandson that was not altered simply because he is gone from the physical

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650 Words | 3 Pages

In “A Worn Path”, enduring is the word that best describes Phoenix because she undergoes issues with her mind, an arduous journey, and a racist man. First of all, Phoenix perseveres through all of the mental problems that she has. The narrator says, “She did not dare to close her eyes, and when a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him. " That would be acceptable," she said.

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1639 Words | 7 Pages

As people age, they may change due to situations that have an influence on their lives. Through life’s journey, people often face many important decisions in their search for their true identities. During this process, the decisions people are required to make help to define one’s personality and overall character. As people searches for a sense of contentment, other people as well as one’s own internal feelings may alter the path that one takes, unexpectedly leading them to their true identities. In The Bicycle and The Metaphor, by Jillian Horton and Budge Wilson, respectively, both authors use characters who show how internal and external influences such as peer pressure, authority from parental figures, and guilt have the potential to alter

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1009 Words | 5 Pages

Prayer and friends as a backup is also a necessity for the journey. Only time will tell if and when a child or adult no longer fears thunderstorms, heights, and even fate itself. Alden Nowlan left an wonderful example of two different fears with an easy method to drive the fear to oblivion. Fear of the present and fear of fate will disappear when a person’s backup is made of caring friends and prayer warriors. Aunt Jane’s niece or nephew tells how fear limits the hope for the future while commenting on the last decade of her life.

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60 Words | 1 Pages

The Phoenix: The Phoenix symbolizes rebirth. The Phoenix is known for rising from the ashes after being burned. In the story after the city has been destroyed, Granger compares the destruction to the bird. Both are destroyed and rise from the destruction. So if Granger and the others use their knowledge, they won’t be like the Phoenix and prevent destruction.

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645 Words | 3 Pages

In “Aunt Granny Lith”, Chris Offutt’s short story, Beth and Casey change in order to conquer their problems. When tasked with an obstacle, one must be willing to change. It’s up to that same person to decide if they will change for the better or worse. Beth and Casey follow the steps of a Hero’s Quest, a pattern of many stories discovered by Joseph Campbell, and manage to come out reborn. Transformation is the major theme present throughout the story.

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539 Words | 3 Pages

Yes, the journey is a great risk especially in her condition but Eudora shows how Phoenix’s spirit causes her to persevere in the face of adversity. In the end, Phoenix Jackson reached her destination and received the medicine for her grandchild. What starts out as a long quest filled with dangerous obstacles ends in a meaningful lesson for the readers’. Eudora Welty short story, “A Worn Path,” exemplifies what it means to persevere through any tribulations that stand in the way of your goals.

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810 Words | 4 Pages

While walking up the path, Phoenix has had to overcome obstacles while it seems like death is in the form of chains around her feet. Even so, she continues onward to freedom. The scene continues while Phoenix passes trees and birds and animals, and suddenly she is crawling through a barbed-wire fence. The change in scenery indicates how Phoenix might be somewhat confused, especially because she is old. It also indicates how Phoenix’s journey was not one of peacefulness, rather, it was one of survival.

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738 Words | 3 Pages

In the story “A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson was an old African American women. She takes a small journey that can be an allegory of someone's whole life. The journey had hard and easy parts, beauty, danger, and confusion. But her quest was to get the medicine for her sick grandson who laid at home waiting for her return. Phoenix was a delusional yet heroic, caring grandmother who would stop at nothing to get what she needed.

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725 Words | 3 Pages

Phoenix quest is to get to town to get her grandson the medicine he needs. Her grandson is very ill and can not get his own medicine. That 's why everyday she take the longer journey to go into town. She knows the journey is going to be long and hard, but she is willing to push through the struggle to help her grandson.

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740 Words | 3 Pages

Jackson is an old and poor grandmother whose senses are beginning to fail her, but she goes through seemingly unbearable trials in order to get to town and pick up her grandson’s medicine that will keep him alive. In this heartwarming story, Welty uses symbolism and various conflicts to create the theme of sacrificial love. In A Worn Path, Welty uses symbolism to illustrate her theme by giving the protagonist the name Phoenix. A phoenix is often used as a symbol of death and resurrection from the ashes ("Ancient Symbolism of

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