What a symbolic piece. "A worn path" by Eudora Welty

Essay by Anonymous UserUniversity, Master'sA-, October 1996

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The symbolism in 'A Worn Path' by Eudora Welty teaches what a person can do for a loved one. This story relates the journey of an old black woman who goes through a path that confronts her with many adversities. She manage to overcome them in order to get medicine for her grandson at the doctor's office which, as described in the story, is a long way from where she lives.

The description of Phoenix Jackson at the beginning of this story gives of a glance of how difficult this trip is going to be for an old woman like her. This description gives us a version of a woman that has been physically worn out by work and age. A person that manages herself not to fall with every step she takes. Furthermore, she wears a dress that makes it even more difficult to move through the trail which she takes to go to get the medicine for her grandson.

However, she has started a trip that will confront her with many adversities and she is determined to finish it.

This whole story is filled with symbolism that explains what a person is capable of doing for a loved one. At the beginning of her journey, Phoenix urges all the animals of the forest to get out of her way because as she says, 'I got a long way.' (A Worn Path, 1301). She is determined to go through that path despite of animals or anything that comes between her and her final destination. This statement shows that her body may be worn out, but the attitude that she takes and desire that she has in order to get the medicine for her grandson are not.

Also, her physical capabilities are put into test when she goes...