“A Worn Path” written by Eudora

“A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty is simple story about an elderly woman’s journey into town. The main character, Phoenix Jackson is a poor African American woman who suffers from common geriatric conditions such as senility and fragility. Phoenix is very determined to complete her task; she must triumph over various obstacles, including terrain and prejudice. The reason for her journey, which the reader discovers at the conclusion, is to receive medicine for …

…of kneeling to the magnitude of the obstacles in front of her she kept on moving. Even with being plagued by an aging body throughout the journey, Phoenix never deters from the path she has taken, and even becomes heroic in completing the journey. She is like the mythological bird that burned itself, and raised a new, young bird. Every time she completes this journey she is reborn and becomes ready for the next time.