A WORN PATH

A WORN PATH
[Written by: Eudora Welty]
Major character: Phoenix Jackson
Major theme: - This story is about an exquisitely controlled story of unconscious heroism.
Phoenix Jackson of the far out village came through the pinewood jungle with a walking stick. She used to look ahead. Her face was wrinkled .She had a red piece of cloth on her hand .When there was a movement in the bush she used to abuse all the animals and ask them not to block her way, because she was going away. All the birds and doves were chirping. She reached a hill through the jungle; she looked back at the way and started to climb down. She reached into a bush and thrones kept her dress and she said “You don’t let me go away”. At last she got rid of thorns by trembling and went away. She lost her time .She went to weep. She crossed the river and thought she was not as old as she thought. She sat there .A boy brought some cake she asked him but he didn’t give her .She went through the bared wire fence. She went to the safety place and stood up. A vulture came and sat on the tree. She became glad that it was not the time of bulls and snake were also sleeping. And she became happy when she didn’t see the two headed snake .There were a lot of snakes in summer .Then she went through the maize field and the cotton field but she couldn’t find he way. There was a black, tall and skinny thing moving before her.
She thought it was a man but it didn’t make a sound so she took it as a ghost .She cried “Ghost” “Who are you the ghost of?”She felt it closing eyes. She found a coat and a cold as ice inside. She said “You scare crow” She felt to be old very much. She reached the way. She went through the huts by saying she was walking when they are sleeping .She drank more sweet water in the stream. She reached shallow place and ask the alligators just sleep. She meets a dog coming out from a hole. She hit it with the stick slightly but she falls into the hole. She tried to get out but she was unable so she lay there A white man came alone and shouted at her saying “What are you doing there?” “I am waiting a man,” said Phoenix. The boy helps her to get out and ask where she was going. She said she was going to the city. He insisted on going back home but she refused. She picked up a nickel dropped from the boy’s pocket. He asks her age and she told her it was impossible to say the age. The man went where the dogs were fighting .The white boy pointed his gun towards the Phoenix but she faced it. He asked if she was frightened by gun but she told him that she was familiar to such guns .He told “Granny. You are hundred so you aren’t afraid of anything anyone”. If you go home I would give you ten cent .They disported and carried their way.
Phoenix reached the city. The city was decorated because of Christmas. There were light on during a day. She sat on the payment. She saw a lady carrying a present for Christmas in her hand .She ordered her to tie shoelace up. She asked what the old lady wanted and at last she helps her to lace up. Phoenix thanked her and reached a stony house there were golden papers hanging on the walls. There was an attendant who asks her work and name. In the mean time, the women, who know Phoenix, came and asked her about her grandson. “She doesn’t come for her but for her grandson” said Phoenix could answer quickly. So she repeated her question .She requested Phoenix not to take their time because they didn’t have the time, if she would have any problem they would solve it quickly. She said to her that Phoenix forgot about her grandson but slowly she reminded her of grandson. She told them he was not death. He was serious and sometimes he could not breathe. They were only two % people live in their family. The women said, doctor had given some medicine but it couldn’t affect the diseases .Phoenix said he was helpless and in bad condition, he might live for some time. Nurse gave her free medicine .The old lady thanked her. The nurse gave her five cent and Phoenix climbed down the steps slowly


Alternatively,

A Worn Path
Eudora Welty
‘A Worn Path’ is a story about an old black woman named Phoenix, who is courageous and endangers her life to get the medicine for her grandson, who is suffering from extreme throat pain. Literally speaking, the story is the story of journey of old woman who walks towards the city on the cold winter day. She is taking a long trip to the city to visit the hospital and bring some medicine for her grandson. This is not the first time she is going to the city. She goes there frequently for the medicine. She loves her grandson so much that she faces many trouble and obstacle on the long trip.
This story is the live description of the journey of the old Negro woman. The writer presents live description of the real character so that the events of that story seem convincing. Phoenix comes up against several troubles between the valley and wagon track. She has to walk across thorny bushes and deep woods. She has to cross a river and even climb a steep hill. Her dress is caught and scratched by thorns. But, she frees herself with hard struggle. She has to creep and crawl under the barbed wire. She is even disturbed by the scarecrow, which she thinks to be a ghost. Later, she falls into a ditch when she tries to protect from the black dog. In spite of all these difficulties, she is successful to reach her destination.
It is quite strange to the reader that she keeps talking to herself because she is alone on the way. Also, she is very old and talking alone has because her habit. By talking to herself, she tries to forget hardships and troubles that come on her way. Monologues add a lot to the total portrait of her habits, nature and attitude. Through the monologue we can read her mind. From her monologue she seems weak, kind-hearted and loving woman. She is the woman who is afraid of even small things. But, she finds way to remove her obstacles. She is uneducated and knows very little about the outside world. She has lots of love for her grandson but despite of her weakness she is determined woman who frees all the challenges of the life. Her monologues add a lot to the total portrait of her.
Phoenix can be compared to the bird Phoenix in Egyptian mythology, which burns itself, changes into ashes and again recreates new life. In every obstacle, Phoenix seems to be losing hope such as burning of Phoenix bird into ashes. Later, when she gets victory over the obstacles, she seems to be regaining her hope such as recreation of life of Phoenix from ashes.
She is a very poor woman. When she sees the nickel dropped from a white man, she thinks she can do something with that money. Her poverty drives her to pick up that nickel. She does this theft jus for good reason. She wants to buy paper windmill for her grandson as a surprise gift on the occasion of Christmas Day.
At last, she is able to get success in her aim. In spite of her old age, she proves herself to be a courageous and determined woman. Being simple and uneducated lady also, she overpowers all the obstacles on her way due to her deep love for her grandson.