A worn path outline. A Worn Path: Full Story Summary 2022-12-20
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I. Introduction
Brief overview of "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty
Themes of love, sacrifice, and determination
II. Summary of the story
An elderly African American woman walks along a worn path to a pharmacy to get medicine for her sick grandson
She encounters a white man who initially tries to stop her, but ultimately helps her with her task
The woman's love and determination to help her grandson is evident in her journey
III. Analysis of the theme of love
The woman's love for her grandson drives her to make the journey, despite her old age and the obstacles in her way
The white man's initial hostility towards the woman is transformed by the end of the story, possibly due to her love and determination
IV. Analysis of the theme of sacrifice
The woman sacrifices her own comfort and well-being to help her grandson
The white man ultimately sacrifices his own prejudices and helps the woman, showing a sense of selflessness
V. Analysis of the theme of determination
The woman's determination to get the medicine for her grandson is evident in her repeated journeys down the worn path
The white man's initial reluctance to help the woman is overcome by her determination and persistence
VI. Conclusion
"A Worn Path" is a poignant story that showcases the themes of love, sacrifice, and determination in the face of adversity
These themes are universal and timeless, making the story relatable and enduring.
A Worn Path Summary & Analysis
Phoenix is quite remarkable woman. One of the many characterizations in the story starts with Phoenix herself. She lives away back off the Old Natchez Trace. He not get his breath. Yet her willingness to take advantage of him for her own gain is demonstrated by her quick response to the nickel falling out of his pocket. Somewhat further on, she must pass through a barbed wire fence, and she is again careful about her dress. She then buys her grandson a paper windmill, thinking it will make him happy.
This is no mistake as it compares the plight of an old woman living in the rural south with the fact that she is African-American living in a post-Civil War era where racism certainly still existed: another obstacle. It begins as a very old, small Black woman named Phoenix Jackson sets out along a path through the woods. She takes time to disentangle her skirts from the thorns, and her progress is slow and frustrated. She tries to reach up and, finding no one, just waits. The boloney made Phoenix to be knowledgeable by her terrestrial doing in life, precisely in reality she was displayed to be ignorant.
Phoenix Jackson makes her biannual visit to Natchez, walking for half a day in December to reach the medical clinic at which she receives, as charity, soothing medicine for her grandson. Phoenix has remained silent throughout the visit. The obstacles phoenix Jackson faces are symbols of trials in life 1. Old Phoenix sees the Natchez Trace as an obstacle course, one that she tolerates with a fair sense of humor, despite her lapses into senility. Soon enough a hunter came along. A Worn Path by Eudora Welty is about a woman named Phoenix Jackson who takes a trip into town to get medicine for her sick grandson.
To which Phoenix payed her no mind. She approaches it and reaches out her hand to investigate because she has trouble seeing. She admits that she forgot why she made her long journey. The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. His disbelief that she would walk as far as he can demeans her based on her age.
The first symbol is the title of the story and how it brings Phoenix Jackson to her journey of "A Worn Path. He proceeds to help her up, demonstrating his willingness to assist a person in need. Closing her eyes at the bridge underscores her faith in a higher being who will watch and protect her, as well as her own memory or inner strength over her outward senses and abilities. When the hunter accidentally drops a nickel, she spots it quickly. Social status, along with causing whites to put themselves above blacks, also caused most of the white Americans to interact with African Americans in condescending ways.
For example, she takes the path "down through oaks," and a little later she sits "down to rest. She explains to the nurse how much she loves her grandson and that even though her memory fails, she always recognizes him. The clearest indication of this is the condescending way the hunter talks to her. On a bright and early December morning Jackson left her home. She passes a woman on the sidewalk and asks her to tie her shoelaces.
She comfortably reflects that snakes and alligators hibernate in December. She wears a striped dress with large skirts, an apron made from recycled sugar bags, and a red rag on her head. Life is an obstacle course in which we have to overcome in our lifetimes. Once she reaches the bottom of the hill, her dress catches on a thorny bush which she mistakes for a green bush because of her vision difficulties. The path began to run upwards.
He spotted Jackson laying down. She continues on anyway, as she has, it seems, time and time again. Is God watching the hunter as he threatens and lies, too? I sigh of relief escapes my mouth. She smells wood smoke and the river, hears bells ringing, and sees the town of Natchez in the distance. Though he helps her, he is also somewhat threatening.
The second date is today's date — the date you are citing the material. She walked and walked and shooed the animals out of her way. She found a coat and inside that an emptiness, cold as ice. Many people believe in one path and stick with it while others try to follow every path they get a hint of. Eudora Welty purposefully named the character Phoenix to invoke the myth of the Phoenix 2. Having found the right place, she momentarily forgets why she has come.
This is a fitting transition from her naturalistic obstacles to the instances where she is helped but chastised "cold as ice" by other people. He then lies about not having any money — his lost nickel proves that he did at least have that. At some point in life we all have to make such sentimental self-realization. On this journey of hers she endures some challenging hardships. On these walks she always came to the point where the was no path just her knowledge of knowing her way around. Welty gives quotes on her walking with a cane and how she uses it. When it is burned, a new phoenix springs forth from the ashes.
