A Worn Path

“A Worn Path” written by Eudora Welty is a story of sacrifices and love for the family. In the story, she used the character of an old black woman who follows a worn path during Christmas season. This old black woman is the closest representation of the character that clearly depicts the purpose of Welty, to represent the powerful force of love, determination, sacrifice and life itself.

In the story, the main character, the old woman, follows a worn path. In her journey she faces many difficulties and troubles yet she continues her journey to help his grandson. The poor eyesight and her slow pace of walking due to her old age become the biggest problem in her travel. These problems represent obstacles every person is facing in their everyday lives like having weak grasp of hope that will give success.

Racial issue is also depicted in the story where the Negro, Phoenix try to communicates with the White. In the story, the white man and the nurse successfully represent the people that come in every person’s way as an instrument of the improvement and success in life.
Another intriguing detail in the story is the use of the name Phoenix. It appears that this name symbolizes resurrection (according to Egyptian Mythology).
Phoenix’ rebirth in the story is the feeling of being the one who actually done the sacrifices for his grandson. The success of her journey upon many trials during Christmas (setting) season depicted the belief of Christians of salvation from God where he used Jesus as the one who make the sacrifices for the love for His sons. Jesus is Phoenix in the story, where unselfish love and self-giving is the main context.
Lastly, the author successfully used her simple used of language to be able to manage to present the ideas of love for family, self-giving success through problems and life’s purpose.