It isn’t difficult to find several examples of symbolism in “A Worn Path.” The author, Eudora Welty, uses many, and most of them are nature symbols. The first one that becomes apparent to the reader is the main character’s name, “Phoenix Jackson” (105). A phoenix is a mythical bird that rises from the ashes of its own destruction to begin anew. If Phoenix Jackson is seen as a representative of her race after the civil war, it is easy to find a connection. Just as a phoenix will rise from the ashes, so too did the African American people, emerging from their long years of oppression

As for the question that some may have about whether or not the grandson lives, the answer can be found in Welty’s frequent references to death and supernatural spirits. Phoenix notes that “down in the hollow was the mourning dove…it was not too late for him”(106). Is she referring to the dove and the time of day, or is the true meaning applied inwardly? Is Phoenix telling herself that it is not too late to grieve for her dead grandson?

Other symbols soon become evident to the reader. When Phoenix climbs the hill, she remarks to herself that it “seems like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far” (106). This hill is symbolic of the hard life Phoenix has traveled in order to get what she wants. Soon after, the old woman comes across a thorn bush, which caught her dress. Phoenix says to the bush, “Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass—no sir” (106). The fact that Phoenix feels that “it was not possible to allow the dress to tear” shows her unwillingness to compromise her beliefs when faced with an obs

Some topics in this essay:
Nearly Phoenix’s, African American, Path” Life, Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson, Worn Path”, , “a worn path”, “a worn, symbolism “a worn, worn path”, symbolism “a,