Unwavering Determination: An Elderly Womans Heroic Journey in A Worn Path

Abstract

Student’s Name Essay outline Title Introduction Thesis statement (significance of determination in life) Story line Selflessness, ignoring racism comments and ultimate goal [Name] Difficult journey Nature (wild animals, thorns) Health complications [Name] Racism (racist white hunter) Age discrimination Reaction to comments on race and age [Name] Fulfilling responsibility Discouraging feedback from Doctors Love Conclusion Outcome of the journey Phoenix priorities Power of determination Work Cited 2 Secondary Sources Over “Worn Path” Introduction In the short story “A Worn Path” the author Eudora Welty introduces imaginary character of Phoenix Jackson to show the significance of determination in life. The tale describe the struggle undertaken by Phoenix, an aged African American woman who is in distressed state of seeking medicine for her grandchild who is fatally ailing. She faces many impediments through her expedition although she persists in finding solutions to her way. The elements of determination are demonstrated by how Phoenix overcomes the obstacles by being selfless, ignoring unnecessary obstruction and focusing on the ultimate goal of getting to the hospital. The author demonstrates determination of phoenix from the struggle of a difficult journey in a worn path. The path is characterised with wild animals, thorny bushes against a fragile woman not suited for such a trip (Sykes, 151). She is an old woman with deprived vision and can only walk by holding a cane which means it is difficult to go up a hill or even cross a river (Piwinski, 40-42). Some of her harsh experiences are when the long dress she was wearing got caught up on thorns, crawling just like a baby in order to climb the hills and while attempting to hit a dog, she fell in a ditch. In addition, she even forgot the objective of starting such a journey and started experiencing hallucination episodes, “ She did not dare close her eyes, and when a little boy brought her a plate with a slice of marble-cake on it she spoke to him, “That would be acceptable,” she said. But when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air” (Piwinski, 40-42). The reality of her health complications and the long journey is evident her, however, she continues to follow a path that can have negative impact to her health because she cares more about her duty to the grandchild. The persistence is build up on the bravery and potency to reach the destination. This strong determination to save the grandchild is the weapon that stops her from losing hope on the journey. Welty shows Phoenix determination by introducing a racist white hunter. This character mocks Phoenix by discriminating about her age and race to show his brutality. “Phoenix Jackson’s thoughts and perceptions, as well as her encounters with other characters, illustrate the theme of impending black equality and amalgamation in the South after the civil war” (Sykes, 151). This statement demonstrates how the whites during this period viewed black people and Phoenix being an African America, she was not spared from this reality. The racist remark does not provoke a reaction from Phoenix as she simply disregards the racist hunter; disregarding such racist comments requires an outstanding will power. She is aware of racism and knows how race separate class especially with money; this is illustrated when she...