The short story is a tale about an elderly woman’s journey into town, which the audience finds out in the end to purchase medicine for her sick grandson. The elderly woman, Phoenix Jackson is a poor fragile African American woman who suffers from hallucinations and poverty. Phoenix is very determined to complete her journey, though many obstacles exist. The reason for her journey, to receive medicine for her sick grandson, has a chronic throat condition caused by drinking lye. Despite her age and fragility, Phoenix is very stubborn which gives her the ability to overcome nearly impossible odds, through her determination, which is fueled by the love for her grandson. Through her love for her grandson, she is devoted to complete her journey. At first the audience is unsure of whether Phoe

nix will complete her journey, talking to herself, stopping to rest, hallucinating but later the reader discovers that she is in fact quite able.

Just as her name is a symbol of the story, so are the obstacles and many other elements throughout the story. The obstacles, such as the wired fence, the bush is all representations of the obstacles that we encounter in every day life. The paper windmill that Phoenix wants to purchase for her sick grandson represents the fragile of Phoenix and the child, yet it also represents the refueling of energy that Phoenix receives from her grandson. Her first hallucination that of a boy who offers Phoenix a slice of marble cake represents that of her sick grandson.

At the end of the story Phoenix’s says that she will buy a gift for her grandson, a paper windmill. This shows not only her love for her grandson, but represents how fragile both her and her grandson. The paper windmill, fragile like Phoenix, even the smallest breath of air will affect her physical stability.

Some topics in this essay:
African American, Worn Path”, Eudora Welty’s, love grandson, Phoenix Jackson, sick grandson, complete journey, paper windmill, grandson paper windmill, grandson represents fragile, medicine sick, fragile phoenix, grandson represents, grandson paper, medicine sick grandson, represents fragile, journey name,