Eudora Welty`s `A worn Path`

A Worn Path is a touching story of will power . The relevant story of love and perseverance transcends a deeper message relating to the welfare of Negro (after the Civil War . Rather than using direct criticism , the writer reveals the indifference by employing symbolism in a story of faith

The character name Phoenix Jackson , echoes not only death and rebirth ' by the first name , but also a historical figure of popular democracy in 1830s - Andrew Jackson . Readers will be confronted with questions : Who is this old , nearly blind Negro ? Will the writer

reveal a great past ? Will she die in the end in a pitiful manner ? Why is she engaging herself in a tedious travel ? As the story goes , and as the answers are revealed , rationalizations that may persuade readers that racism is bad , seem to be sugar-coated . The plot mainly illustrates a grandmother 's love towards her grandson , which is a universal feeling whatever race you belong . This observation is parallel to what critics say of Welty 's style . John R . Cooley says that it fails to develop her racial portraits with sufficient sensitivity or depth (EuWN 11-13 and Nancy K . Butterworth adds that such polemical demythologizings conflict with Welty 's persistent refusal to use fiction as a platform particularly for political or sociological issues , as well as her downplaying and even disavowal of racial implications in her stories Nevertheless , the story may at least give the impression that Negroes are human beings with the same aspiration of a better society for the future generation

The story exemplified the unaddressed needs of Negroes after the Civil War . Old Phoenix who lives in Old Natchez Trace of Mississippi , where neglect , not to mention discrimination is still lingering even after slavery was put to an end . Southern whites during that time adopt Black Codes , which regulate the rights of the newly-freedmen . The code situates Blacks with a subordinate position in the society . The character Phoenix , though seemingly harmless because of old age , is not spared form these treatment of neglect and inferiority . Christian symbolism is also apparent in the narrative . For example , the fact that the story is set during the Christmas season has led some critics to associate Phoenix 's journey with that of a religious pilgrimage (Gale Research ,1998

The untied shoelace at the beginning , which is later tied by a perfumed lady carrying gift boxes , symbolizes how little the well-to-do help the Negroes , but how that little help soothes the situation . This further show that Negroes know that what is given and what they will continually ask for is a deserved one , Thank you missy , I doesn 't mind asking (Welty 147 . The author also illustrates how discrimination is not

The woods represent the life Negroes are facing . The author inspires the readers through Phoenix , that though she seems inapt , she pursues her goal . She relies on her knowledge about the terrain . This provides the irony that the former slaves , who knew better than their white masters about...