The Struggle In Eudora Welty's A Worn Path

While living in America, a land of freedom, it didn't change the fact that the whites are more superior. The story “A Worn Path” starts in the 1940s, where blacks are treated differently as if they are not on the same level of whites. It was shown in the story explaining Phenix’s difficult journey to town. Although blacks are treated differently, phenix kept moving forward even when she had difficulty because phenix was determined to go to town and get the medicine for her grandson. The main problem being her old age and her ethnicity, she has to walk all the way to town to get medicine for her grandson. When Phoenix encounters the hunter she tells him that she is going to the city, he responds: “Why, that’s too far! That’s as far as I walk when I come out myself…”(pg 290). Therefore, it is clear that Phoenix’s old age plays a crucial role in her journey. Nevertheless, she is a strong women because of this determination that she has to keep moving forward no matter what circumstances there are. Also, Phoenix has to deal with her current financial status all through the story. This element is particularly critical in light of the fact that in the event that she was neither African-American nor poor, the whole story would not have

It is that very same task that becomes the conflict she faces. Several factors work against Phoenix as she tries to overcome her conflict. The struggle Phoenix has to travel the long path due to her old age. Her financial status does not allow her to receive the aid she truly needs. And, finally, her mental state is shaky, making her not know what she is doing at some moments. Her name "Phoenix" refers to a bird who burns to ashes and then is reborn from its ashes. In the story, Old Phoenix doesn't physically die, but it happens mentally because she remembers why she went into town. In the end, Phoenix overcomes her conflict and obtains the medicine for her