“A Worn Path” is a story of an old woman’s enduring courage, and strength, despite scores of obstacles. It begins on a “bright frozen day in the early morning.” Phoenix Jackson is making a strenuous journey across a wintry countryside to acquire medicine for her grandson who is chronically ill. She was “very old and small and/she carried a thin small cane made from an umbrella.” This clearly shows the reader that she is not suited for this arduous excursion. However, she has made the same trip a countless amount of times.
The author uses Phoenix’s story to represent a journey of life. Her unwillingness to immediately reveal the purpose of the journey allows the reader to interpret this as a general journey without a specific purpose, just as life is often referred to as a journey whose reason is unknown. The obstacles she runs across in her travels represent the problems that one might have to face in life. Welty wants the reader to focus on Phoenix, her journey, and the obstacles that get in her way; because it is through the story of this journey that the author coveys her message, showing Phoenix’s sheer will and determination to endure, no matter what hardship presents itself to her.
Throughout the entirety of the story, the author uses the third person limited omniscient point of view. This serves to give the other characters in the story less dimension, and thus, less importance, so that Phoenix is the only character that is fully developed. With this point of view, her physical characteristics are described, in depth, in the beginning of the story through the narrator. Sensuous imagery is used to put a brilliant picture of Phoenix in the mind of the reader. “Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles.” This passage is exemplary of Welty’s exceptional ability to captivate one’s interest through use of diction.
The characteristics of her personality are also depicted mainly through the reader’s experience of her actions, words, thoughts, and interactions with the other characters. This is the main reason that the other characters are a necessity. The hunter tries to persuade Phoenix to go home. He represents those in life who try to stand in the way and discourage people from fulfilling their goals. But she tells him, “I bound to go to town, Mister…the time come around.” This clearly shows the reader that she has no intention of giving up, and that she will face up to the challenges of what she has to accomplish. The hunter helps to build the image of Phoenix by showing her fearlessness.
Another character that is used to develop Phoenix’s personality is the white woman in town who she asks to tie her shoe. Phoenix has the courage to ask this woman (a white woman no less) a favor. This instance is meant to show her bravery and her pride. She thinks of herself as worthy of this stranger’s time and attention, and is not afraid to ask.
The nurse is the last of the characters to make an appearance in the story. It is through the nurse that the reason for her journey is explained, and it is through this character that Phoenix receives the medicine, which is the significance to her journey. The reader is then able to interpret the medicine as the goal in life that one needs to struggle for. Therefore, in waiting to reveal the purpose of her journey, Welty successfully delivers her message of need for spirit, courage, and determination in life to be able to achieve goals that are set.
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIn the story
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth In the story of Macbeth, there are three basic themes that are seen time and time again. The themes of disorder, darkness and gffgd. They not only are used to show, or describe something, they are also there to show a repeating symbolism throughout the play.
The Star Essay Research Paper In Great
The Star Essay, Research Paper In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, light is used symbolically through the example of Estella. Miss Havisham brings Estella up in the darkness, consequently sheltering her from the true
Untitled Essay Research Paper I messed up
Untitled Essay, Research Paper I messed up; I made a mistake, But please, haste do not take. I love you more than any action or words could ever express, Still I find my heart drowning in loneliness.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Most
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Most Literate people know that by going into the Heart of the Jungle, Conrad was trying to relay a message about the heart of man, and the story is worldly wide read as one of the
Hollow Men Essay Research Paper n TS
Hollow Men Essay, Research Paper n T.S. Eliot’s poem The Hollow Men, T.S. Eliot contrasts his straw-filled hollow men with the “lost violent souls” of Mr. Kurtz and Guy Fawkes. Mr. Kurtz is a
Untitled Essay Research Paper In the Heart
Untitled Essay, Research Paper In the Heart of Darkness, it is very easy to forget what is real and what is civilized. The rivets that Marlow talks about, to fix his boat, are very symbolic of his need to become riveted to reality. Marlow feels that he is slipping into savagery from what he sees around him. In the story, The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, there is a fine line between civilization and savagery and Marlow needs the rivets to help him find himself in his own soul or where his own reality is.
My Sunshine Essay Research Paper There are
My Sunshine Essay, Research Paper There are many instances in this journey we call life that darkness befalls the heart and soul of the journey man or woman. In those times, a light is needed so that you are able to see the path ahead. When that light comes in the form of a human being, you have a tendency to miss the light.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper A
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper A lie is an untruth. It can be a false statement or a statement left unsaid which causes someone to be misled. In life, lies are told for many different
My Love Essay Research Paper You are
My Love Essay, Research Paper You are my everything My one true love My heart will sing If we can stay forever in love When I first laid eyes upon you My jaw dropped
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Good
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Good and Evil: Fight to the Finish William’s Lord of the Flies, (1954) an Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, (1902) there are affective comparisons and contrasts
Darkness Poem Essay Research Paper As a
Darkness (Poem) Essay, Research Paper As a young girl cries her father dies just another victim of a dark night Darkness creeps and shorten nights with just a glimsp pale light
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Heart Of Darkness Vs Apocalypse Now Essay 2
Heart Of Darkness Vs. Apocalypse Now Essay, Research Paper In the article, ?Narratological Parallels in Joseph Conrad?s Heart of Darkness and Francis Ford Coppola?s Apocalypse Now? Linda Costanzo Cahir compares and contrasts both the novella and the film. Both writers had the same theme and meaning in mind, but their structure and technique was what made the stories different.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper COLOR AS SYMBOLISMIN
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper COLOR AS SYMBOLISM HEART OF DARKNESS Trish Heath Professor McDowell ENG 112 02 May 2000 Heath i Outline Thesis statement: Color is used very effectively as a tool of symbolism in Heart of
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper It
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper It is often said that when considering a work of great literature, the title of such work can be just as important as the context of the story. Authors time and again wait until they have completed the context of their work to give it a title as to make sure this chosen title is the best possible representation of their work.
Isolation- Lord Of The Flies And Heart
Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper novels. Throughout Lord of the Flies and Heart of Darkness the importance of restraint is greatly stressed. This being the restraint to remain human and maintain sanity. In Heart
The Raven And The TellTale Heart Essay
, Research Paper Comparisons of ?The Raven? and ?The Tell-Tale Heart? Edgar Allen Poe’s story “A Tell Tale Heart,” has the protagonist obsessed with an old man’s eye. This obsession causes a conflict between the protagonist and his sanity. In ?The Raven the man imagines that a raven is a godsend, intended to relieve him of his anguish.
Just A Poem Essay Research Paper And
Just A Poem Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
Heart Of Darkness Kurtz According To Marlow
Essay, Research Paper The Last Disciple: Joseph Conrad s Heart of Darkness When a man s life is the sea he has much time to think about that life and who he really is or might be. In Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad introduces readers to two such men who are at different stages of their quest to find out who they are.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper The
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper The imagery of dark and light is never clearly defined but the linkage between the two in this novel is obviously clear. Light indicates self-knowledge, civilization and enlightenment. The darkness is in the title and also the major theme of this book. Darkness represents wilderness, evil and greed.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Marlows
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Marlow?s Journey into Kurtz? In Joseph Conrad?s novel, Heart of Darkness, we are shown man insights into the darkness, that is the Congo. His characters Marlow and Kurtz undergo similar journeys through the evil and dark regions of their minds. However, Marlow is able to realize the
Symbolic Use Of Ivory In
‘Heart Of Darkness’ Essay, Research Paper In Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad often uses vague,?muted? descriptions, leaving a melange of possible meanings in the reader?s lap. One exception to this trend is Conrad?s symbolic use of ivory. Within the frame of the story, his references to ivory can obviously be seen as a representation of the white man?s greed.
Artificial Restraints In Lord Of The Flies
Essay, Research Paper Artificial Restraints in Lord of the Flies “GOLDING PUTS SO MANY ARTIFICIAL RESTRAINTS ON HIS STORY IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE HIS POINT, THAT THE WHOLE THING COMES OUT TOO NEATLY AND, IN FACT, REDUCES THE POWER OF HIS MESSAGE.”
Crash Down Essay Research Paper And if
Crash Down Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
A Short Essay On Conrad Black
’s Depiction Of Women Essay, Research Paper Joseph Conrad?s novella, Heart of Darkness, the representation of women is extremely limited. Conrad?s portrayals are extreme stereotypes meant to depict
A Journey Into The Heart Of Darkness
Essay, Research Paper A Journey into the Heart of Darkness The white man is evil, or so says Joseph Conrad in his novel Heart of Darkness, which describes the colonial transformation of the symbolically angelic African wilderness into an evil haven for the white man. The novel presents a psychological journey into the core of evil or “heart of darkness” in one’s own mind, as he or she progresses through the jungle.
Heart Of Darkness Mystery And Suspense Essay
, Research Paper Heart of Darkness: Mystery and Suspense It seems like everywhere there is something in life that seems to be left behind. In the books I read about mystery or suspense, this always seems
Heart Disease Essay Research Paper 4 COMMON
Heart Disease Essay, Research Paper 4 COMMON HEART DISEASE 1. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE : IS THE DAMAGE TO THE HEART THAT CAN OCCUR BEFORE OR DURING THE BIRTH OF A BABY. THAT HAPPENS
Heart Of Darkness Vs Apocalyp Essay Research
Paper Comparative Essay between Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now The relationship between Joseph Conrad’s book, Heart of Darkness and Francis Coppola’s movie, Apocalypse Now are obvious. Apocalypse Now follows the story line of the Heart of Darkness although the settings of each story are from completely different location and time periods.
The Symbolism Of Darkness In
“Heart Of Darkness” Essay, Research Paper Darkness…What does it mean? In Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, the meaning of the word “darkness” changed throughout the story to symbolize different things. Conrad used this term in ways to identify social and intellectual elements in order to help the reader get a feel of his outlook and his own opinions of the world.
Darkness In Macbeth Essay Research Paper The
Darkness In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The most important chain of imagery used to add to the atmosphere is the imagery of darkness. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the design of the witches, the guilt in Macbeth’s soul, and the darkness of the night to establish the atmosphere. All of the great scenes take place at night or in some dark spot.
