"A Worn Path"

In the short story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, the primary focus is Phoenix Jackson, an old, fragile Negro lady. On the surface, the story is about an old lady making a trip into the city to obtain medicine, but the story has a deeper meaning, an underlying connotation. Phoenix Jackson’s casual trip to the city is more than just a trip down a worn path but rather a struggle and a test of perseverance. The trip to the city is a test to show the persistence and perseverance of Phoenix Jackson to overcome the many obstacles presented in her path. Underneath the surface, Welty uses the characters, setting, and imagery to present the themes of immortality, racism and struggle.
From the beginning of the story, the theme of immortality presents itself starting with Phoenix Jackson. The name “Phoenix” in itself is a direct reference to the mythical bird. According to Webster’s dictionary, a phoenix is “a legendary bird which burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period, often a sign of immortality.” Here, at the beginning of the story, the direct reference to the mythical phoenix gives the hint of immortality. Even Phoenix Jackson’s physical appearance resembles that of the mythical phoenix. The mythical phoenix represents itself with lavish colors of red and gold, colors that also describe the appearance of Phoenix Jackson in the story. Phoenix Jackson was “an old Negro woman with her head tied in a red rag…a golden color ran underneath the two knobs of her cheeks were illumined by a yellow burning under the dark” (Welty 1544). Clearly, Welty reinforces and emphasizes the importance of Phoenix Jackson as it pertains to her appearance and resemblance to the mythical phoenix.
Welty also uses time to show Phoenix Jackson’s immortality (Donlan 549). She “walked slowly in the dark pine shadows, moving a little from side to side in her steps, with the balance heaviness and lightness of a pendulum in a grandfather clock” (Welty 1544). The purpose of this mental image is to show that Phoenix Jackson is in fact an old lady but also to show that even through old age, she is able to triumph and still move freely without struggle. The appearance of Phoenix Jackson emphasizes the theme of immortality which is important because as the trip to the city unveils, Phoenix Jackson is constantly surrounded by darkness and death, another link to the theme of immortality.
Although the text does not explicitly refer to Phoenix Jackson as the mythical phoenix, Welty makes a comparison that clearly parallels the actions of the mythical creature (Donlan 550). In mythology, the phoenix builds itself a nest at the end of its life-cycle. It then ignites itself in which both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new phoenix arises. This action is similar to that of Phoenix Jackson’s actions in the story. In the story, she “spread her skirts on the bank around her and folded her hands over her knees” (Welty 1545) resembling a bird that focuses and concentrates on a task. In this scene, Phoenix Jackson spreads herself next to the bank, rejuvenating and gathering energy for the continuation of her trip. Much like a phoenix, she is setting fire to herself in a sense that she will rise again and become a new person. This resembles a phoenix nesting and ready to set fire to itself to rise from the ashes to begin an immortal journey. Phoenix Jackson’s portrayal in the story represents Welty’s underlying theme of immortality. From her name to her appearance and actions, Phoenix Jackson represents immortality.
Along with immortality, the theme of racism presents itself throughout the story. Although it is overlooked, Welty clearly states in Phoenix Jackson’s description that she was an “old Negro woman” (Welty 1544) placing emphasis on the fact that Phoenix Jackson is a colored woman. This sets the stage for most if not all of the events that allude to the theme of racism. At the beginning of her trip, Phoenix Jackson walks through woods and begins walking up a hill. As she walks up the hill, she says that there “seems like there is chains about my feet…something always take a hold of me on this hill – pleads I should stay” (Welty 1544). On the surface, Phoenix Jackson makes a blunt reference to chains and being held down, but upon closer inspection, the theme of racism presents itself. Given the background of the main character, the thought of chains makes an “unsettling reference to the bound slaves” (Skyes). This is one of many references that Welty makes in regards to racism.
The theme of racism presents itself again when Phoenix hallucinates by the river bank. She envisions that “a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it, and she said it would be acceptable. But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air” (Welty 1545). Marble cake is a mixture of white and black chocolate fused together. It is “a direct reference to the idea of integration in the South” (Skyes), an idea that was met with great opposition. This proves true when Phoenix tries to take a piece of the cake but ends up with just air – “it is an unattainable dream, a utopian fantasy” (Skyes) that Phoenix accepts and lives with.
Phoenix’s next encounter with the hunter and his dogs shows another theme of oppression and struggle consistent throughout the story. The white hunter is the symbol of oppression as he taunts and tries to turn Phoenix Jackson back home. After scaring off a dog, the hunter returns and points his gun at Phoenix Jackson. He asks her if the guns scares her and she responds “No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done” (Welty 1547). The hunter tries to scare Phoenix into turning around and taunts her in hopes that she would be too scared to carry on. However, this plan backfires as Phoenix Jackson stands her ground. She knows no fear and is determined to go on about her business.
The hunter presses the matter, telling Phoenix to take his advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to her (Welty 1547). Even through all the attempts to force her to end her journey, Phoenix Jackson shows her strength to stand up against oppression and her persistence to finish what she has set out to do. Another mishap occurs once Phoenix Jackson reaches the city. As she enters the building, the attendant speaks to her in a rude manner, referring to her as “a charity case.” Already, Phoenix Jackson is met with opposition in which the attendant speaks down to her, treating her as less than an equal. She refuses to give into the attendant’s comments and remains silent instead of retaliating. This is important in the sense that it shows Phoenix Jackson’s character and her ability to overcome adversity and her true mental and physical toughness. Even when she is tested, Phoenix Jackson remains calm and comes out on top. Opposition and struggle are a constant theme in the story. It shows the persistence and toughness of Phoenix Jackson.
At the surface “A Worn Path” is merely about an old Negro woman who makes a journey to the city to obtain medication for her grandson. Upon closer examination, the author uses different elements of literature such as setting and imagery to develop the many themes presented in the story. The story of Phoenix Jackson’s journey incorporates multiple themes such as racism, opposition and struggle, and immortality.