Analysis of a Short Story a Worn Path by Eudora Welty

Analysis of a short story â€Å"A Worn Path† by Eudora Welty. Lit.1 Characters: Phoenix Jackson : Is the protagonist of the story. She is described in vivid colors, suggesting her lively nature: she wears a red rag in her hair and her skin is described as â€Å"yellow,† â€Å"golden† and â€Å"copper.† Her age is indicated by the way she moves — slowly, in small steps, with the assistance of a cane — and by the wrinkles on her face, which form â€Å"a pattern all its own . . . as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead.† Because of her frailty, her determination to continue on her journey highlights her resilience and perseverance. Old Phoenix sees the Natchez Trace as an obstacle course, one that she tolerates with a fair†¦show more content†¦Phoenix can hardly walk and uses a cane made of an old umbrella to aid her. Her skin is described as old and wrinkly, but yet with a golden color running beneath it Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and a s though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead, but a golden color ran underneath.. Her skin tone represents the golden feathers of the Phoenix and her grandson represents the Phoenix that will rise from the ashes when she dies. The trip to the city to get the medicine represents the mythological trip that the Phoenix takes to the sun to die. Most likely this journey along a worn path through the woods, will be one of her last. : point of view : The story is told from a third-person limited point of view. This allows the reader to empathize with Phoenix, because her thoughts and actions are shown. Yet, in third-person, the reader is allowed to view Phoenix from a distance, and thereby see her as others see her. Style : Eudora Welty used the common vernacular of southern black people in the early 1900s. 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