Is this just a story about a crazy old lady? I think not. Tell me what you think about the meaning of this short story. Consider the historical context. Consider the symbolism. Consider motifs. Consider allusions. Consider it all, and talk about it together!
8 Comments
Faith Anderson
10/6/2014 02:11:29 am
Color motifs are everywhere in "A Worn Path." Phoenix Jackson is described with eyes "blue with age," a "yellow burning" in her skin, and a "red rag" covering her hair (Welty 1). The mythical phoenix is also depicted with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and blue. Silver is another color motif. Silver grass, silver trees and a silver cabin are all things Phoenix passes on her journey. Silver is associated with calm, peaceful and cleansing feelings. Phoenix feels this, and remarks that this stretch of her journey is "the easy place" (Welty 3). Purple and black are used to describe Phoenix's journey past the dead corn and cotton fields. Black is affiliated with feeling intimidated. The corn field makes Phoenix uneasy as she passes by. Purple is linked to royalty; Phoenix uses purple to describe the cotton stalks. This could be an allusion to King Cotton and represent Phoenix's early life, working in cotton fields. Overall, color motifs are numerous in "A Worn Path."
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Jared Fogarty
10/6/2014 03:55:45 pm
There are two main themes present in "A Worn Path"; the obvious being love, and the other being blind devotion and ambition. Although Phoenix's intentions are not revealed until the end of the journey, the journey itself shows how persistent and stubborn she actually is. Phoenix pushes along and does whatever is necessary to get into town. She does all of this because her grandson is apparently sick. Phoenix has sacrificed so much for her grandson and gone on her journey so many times that she now does it out of habit, forgetting why she even left her home. She is not set back by the prospect of the journey, only commenting to herself how the path gets harder to follow with age.
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Natalie Carlberg
10/7/2014 09:47:26 am
The use of similes was something that definitely stood out to me as a reader. I noticed how Eudora Welty uses them for us as readers to see what Phoenix sees and how she sees it. Similes give the readers the option to see and understand vivid comparisons to other things throughout the story.
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Pearl Davis
10/12/2014 01:03:06 pm
I think this story is primarily about dedication. Phoenix is very dedicated to the journey she takes on. She sees it through to the end despite the difficulties she faces along the way. Even as she ages, she still pushes forward to reach her goal. Her dedication to the journey stems from her devotion to her grandson. She is willing to put aside all her own hardships to benefit the well-being of her grandson. Her dedication to her grandson is then an offshoot of her love for him. It is love that drives her to continue on her journey and and keep her goal in mind. She loves her grandson so much that she goes on this arduous journey just for him. So while the story is primarily about dedication , love acts as the catalyst for Phoenix's unquestionable devotion to her journey.
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Cole Snyder
10/13/2014 05:35:13 am
Jared brings up a good point about the themes in this story. If I could add one more theme, it would be perseverance. Phoenix Jackson travels all the way to town, which is a half a days travel, to get medicine for her son who may or may not be dead in the first place. It is evident that she loves her boy very much, which is why Jared's first themes parallels with this story. Not only does Phoenix love her boy enough to travel a very far distance to get him medicine, but she purchases a small paper windmill for him. Because she couldn't afford it, she was forced to steal money in order to purchase it. She is morally conscious which is why it surprised me that she would do that, just to make her son happy. It just proves that people will go to great lengths in order to show their appreciation and love.
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Sara King
10/14/2014 01:26:58 am
I agree with Pearl in that the main theme of the story is dedication. To go along with that, I think love is also a major theme/part of "A Worn Path". Love and dedication tie together in the fact that this old lady, Pheonix travels a hard, long journey every week for her grandson to receive necessary medication. The struggle of this voyage creates the theme of unconditional love. Even though it "seem[s] like there [are] chains about [Pheonix's] feet," she continues the journey to receive her grandson's medication (Welty 1). It is Pheonix's love and dedication towards her grandson that drives her forward through the tough trip she makes.
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Hank Larson
10/19/2014 10:28:49 am
I agree with Jared in the fact Welty used similes to show the great contrast of Phoenix and her surroundings. The similes used provide and prove that the woman does not belong in the environment she is placed. She is a simple, old woman that is in the harsh, bitter elements of nature. The contrasts made throughout by the similes show the determination and love this woman has, because she does not belong in nature the least bit.
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Nate Day
10/24/2014 06:08:29 am
Another reason i enjoyed this story was that it presents itself as a child like story with animals and nature and a sweet old lady. When you look at it thoroughly, though, you can find many adult-like issues and themes, which contrasts with it's presentation. I enjoyed how the author presented the story this way.
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