Symbolism in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty

In “A Worn Path” Phoenix’s name, itself is symbolic; it references to a phoenix; an animal that dies and then is reborn from its own ashes. There also is the medicine that Phoenix seeks, this medicine would be considered the Holy Grail something that determines life and death. In Silver Sparrow Dana’s beautiful hair is symbolic it is something that most African Americans do not have. It would also be considered symbolic because she is supposed to be a secret but her hair is what makes her special and sets her aside from the other girls her friend even asks her, “Can I touch your hair” (Jones 72). There is another symbolic item in Silver Sparrow which happens to be the brooch that Dana is given by her grandmother on her death bed. It is symbolic because it is the only thing that Dana is given by her father’s

A worn path is a story about a woman named Phoenix Jackson who needs to go a journey to town to get medicine for her sick grandson. It is a trip she has made before many times before (hence the title A worn Path) but there is something special about this trip, something different. In this paper I plan to dwell into the symbolism behind the Legend of the Phoenix and its relationship to her journey in the story. The legend of the Phoenix is about a fabled sacred bird of ancient Egyptians, said to come out of Arabia every 500 years to Heliopolis, where it burned itself on altar and rose again from its ashes young and beautiful; symbol of immortality. I think this story also represents Christian beliefs because the setting is

Harper Lee uses symbolism extensively throughout To Kill a Mockingbird,, and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism and allegory can be seen by studying various examples from the book, namely the actions of the children, of the racist whites, and of Atticus Finch.

The Mockingbird has a very deep and powerful meaning in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird. It represents peacefulness, innocence and kindness which is portrayed through the characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. The mockingbird's influence can also be applied to the relationships between humans. The Mockingbird is a powerful symbol that echoes a strong meaning throughout the novel.

Phoenix also symbolizes a mythical bird; she has “the regenerative qualities of the bird are seen in Phoenix’s determination each time she suffers a setback,” Like the bird how it gets reborn again Phoenix keeps on getting up from the challenges and keeps on going just like getting reborn again. That is why the author named the main character Phoenix because she is like the mythical bird the phoenix in many ways even the description of Phoenix gives symbolism of her being like the bird. Phoenix wears a red rag to tie her hair and running underneath her skin “a golden color” [welty1274]. The image of the bird is shown in Phoenix’s face “the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark” [Welty 1274]. Her golden tone skin represents the fiery golden red feathers the bird has.

With the first name of Phoenix, Ms. Welty is showing the symbol of a Greek mythological bird that could live to be one hundred to one thousand years. The old phoenix dies in a pile of ashes, much like the ashes used to make lye, only to reemerge a new magnificent, colorful bird, to live another cycle of life (Wikipedia). Much like the bird, Phoenix Jackson has a red rag around her head, a wrinkled face with yellow illuminating skin, ringlets hanging from her hair, a striped dress, and a bleached sugar sack apron (Welty). In addition, similar, her age, like the bird, Phoenix is aged but wise, likely close to one hundred years, reemerges back to life once she received the medicine her grandson needed. Even the last name of Jackson is likely to be a symbol of a Doctor, who according to an essay by Melisa D. Stang, “Parting the Curtain on Lye Poisoning in “A Worn Path,”” was named Chevalier

This signifies Phoenix Jackson’s ability to endure and persevere despite her old age and several obstacles she faces. In addition to symbolism, Jackson’s age also plays an important role in the symbol of rebirth. As Jackson embarks on her journey she even recognizes the fact of her old age. “You scarecrow,” she said. Her face lightened. “I ought to be shut up for good.” she said with laughter. “My senses are gone. I too old. I the oldest people I ever know” (223). The author gives us the indication that Phoenix could at least be one hundred years old but regardless of the long journey through the worn path is Jackson’s process of rebirth into a new creature. This means she lived through slavery, emancipation, and Jim Crow laws. Welty names the protagonist of her story Phoenix and the protagonist stays true to live out the meaning of her name exemplifying a woman of persistence, strength, and vigor.

“A Worn Path” tells of an elderly and frail black woman and of the hardships that she must overcome. Upon reading the story, you realize that there is more to the story than meets the eye. She faces many roadblocks along her way. Phoenix faces many dangerous obstacles along her way, for a person of her age. She faces racism from some of characters she meets along the way. Phoenix faces inferior treatment, as though she is nothing more than some insect to squash. This story is about not only her ‘journey’ to Natchez, but also about her journey through society and the struggle to overcome the dangers, being treated inferior, and the racism.

In the short story “A Worn Path” Edora Welty establishes that “A person’s actions portray their character” through the use of metaphors by comparing Phoenix to everyday objects in our life.

Phoenix Jackson in Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" has been compared to the mythological phoenix because of her birdlike qualities, and it's also been noticed that Phoenix possesses many of the same characteristics as Christ. But, what hasn't been addressed is the fact that Eudora Welty didn't just leave the symbolism to Christ alone. Welty also included many biblical allusions as well. Phoenix Jackson is not only symbolic of the mythological bird that rose from the ashes of its own demise or simply a Christ figure comparable to the Son of God, but she is also a biblical hero facing temptation and trials along her journey and succeeds unharmed and steadfast in her faith.

The short story A Worn Path is literally a story about an old woman taking a walk during the winter over a path she has known so well in order to get medicine for her grandson. When we magnify this story takimg a much closer look through an allegorical lens, we find this path to be representational of the old woman’s life. This paper will aim to provide symbolic references in order to support my reading that the path represents Phoenix Jackson’s memories throughout her life. This includes the trials and tribulations she encountered from slavery to freedom which she is now reflecting on while actively dying.

In Edurora welt’y short story “A Worn Path “ we quickly learn that she’s a strong and powerful woman.She goes to The clinic to get her grandson’s medicine that he really needs. She goes through The woods all across town just to get to The clinic and she really wants to get her grandson’s a Christmas gift but she didn’t have The money to get it, but she went through a lot of obstacles just to get there This clever use of symbolism continues as Jackson slowly makes the long journey to town.She talks to the animals such as coons,beetles,and wild hogs scaring them away. She speaks of the snakes.Sleeping for The winter and the scarecrow ,she think it’s a ghost.

Phoenix Jackson was an old African American lady. She wore a red scarf on her head and had black curly hair, wore a very long dress with tennis shoes. Phoenix also had blue eyes she could not see because of her old age. This woman went through challenges traveled through forests, hills, and streams.

The flying eagle is another symbol in this film that has been exclusively embraced. The bird first appears to Molly and her mother at the beginning of the movie. Her grandma points towards the bird and says to Molly, “See that bird? That’s a spirit bird; he will always look after you.” This scene shows the bird importance to the Aboriginal. The bird gave Molly the courage to escape Moore River. While in

        Along with struggling against her old age Phoenix Jackson had many elements of nature holding her back from helping her grandson. She had to travel very far to reach the hospital for his medicine. On her way she encountered many elements of wildlife, of which she scared out of her path. Her dress was constantly caught in the brush and was in danger of being ruined as she passed a barbed wire fence. This also took place during Christmas time when it more than likely was extremely cold out side. But Phoenix's desire to help her grandson, and save his life, while also preserving some life of her own, helped her strive in completing this trip.