...In “A Worn Path”, Eudora Welty uses a narrator as a non-participating character to reveal hidden characteristics of the protagonist, Phoenix Jackson, in order to convey the theme of perseverance and unconditional love to the reader. The narrator impartially suggests that Phoenix is an “old negro woman” with “eyes blue with age”. Although these characteristics are basic, they blossom into complex traits of the protagonist that shadow her astounding tenacity. As the audience, we know Phoenix’s age, since the narrator mentioned her elderliness multiple times. Considering that the narrator objectively shares this information, the reader knows how the difficulties she faced on her trek, from having “to go through a barbed-wire fence” to falling into a ditch “like a little puff of milkweed”, add into a critical characterization of the protagonist that, in the end, alludes to the theme. Despite her elderly age, Phoenix’s refusal to end the...
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...ENG 125 Prof. Julie Pal-Agrawal February 13, 2012 “The Road not Taken” and “A Worn Path” Different but the Same Whether reading a short story or a poem, there is always a story to be found within. The authors of these scripts are able to capture readers with the utilization of characterization, rhythm, or a fairytale setting throughout their narrative. It is imagination that sanctions the reader of these literary forms to be able to mentally visualize what the author would like the reader to visually perceive by use of symbolism or descriptive wording. A short story and poem, no matter how structurally different are two literary pieces where a rich story is embedded. Readers are drawn towards these scripts by means of rhythm (poem), characterization, or a fictional setting in their respective narratives. However, the mere script would not make it entertaining enough. It would depend on the imagination of the readers as they are reading the literary script. Every reader has their own way of visualizing the descriptions and symbolism used by the author. In the poem “The Road Not Taken” or short story “A Worn Path.” – There is a prevalent theme. No matter what solitary journey we find ourselves on, ‘we’ determine how the journey ends. “Do not follow where the path may lead... Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."-Robert Frost Everyone is a traveler, choosing the roads to...
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...A phoenix I know from watching Days of Our Lives forever means someone that never dies, as in Stefano DiMera no matter how many times and ways that man is killed he always comes back to life. So, in this story the name Phoenix Jackson was chosen rightly fully for her main character in the story “A Worn Path” as a symbolic mythological creature that lives forever; moreover, the fact that after a phoenix is dead for the fifth time they reincarnate and being again (“Phoenix: Symbol Analysis”, n.d.). Phoenix in this story was determined to the end to accomplish her goals with a gran resilience, failure was not an option, no matter how many times she had to try. It was December, it was cold, she had no money, and a long walk in but nothing would...
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