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Essay Name       : 1446.txt 
Uploader         : Nelson Bort
Email Address    : 
Language         : english
Subject          : Fictional Stories
Title            : what a symbolic piece
Grade            : 78
School System    : Community college
Country          : USA
Author Comments  : Not so bad
Teacher Comments : need to focus on imagery
Date             : 10-16-96
Site found at    : link from another web page
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What a Symbolic Piece
	The symbolism in "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty teaches what a person can do for a loved one. This story relates the journey of an old black woman who goes through a path that confronts her with many adversities. She manage to overcome them in order to get medicine for her grandson at the doctor’s office which, as described in the story, is a long way from where she lives.
	The description of Phoenix Jackson at the beginning of this story gives of a glance of how difficult this trip is going to be for an old woman like her. This description  gives us a version of a woman that has been physically worn out by work and age. A person that manages herself not to fall with every step she takes. Furthermore, she wears a dress that makes it even more difficult to move through the trail which she takes to go to get the medicine for her grandson. However, she has started a trip that will confront her with many adversities and she is determined to finish it.
	This whole story is filled with symbolism that explains what a person is capable of doing for a loved one. At the beginning of her journey, Phoenix urges all the animals of the forest to get out of her way because as she says, "I got a long way." (A Worn Path, 1301). She is determined to go through that path despite of animals or anything that comes between her and her final destination. This statement shows that her body may be worn out, but the attitude that she takes and desire that she has in order to get the medicine for her grandson are not.
	Also, her physical capabilities are put into test when she goes through the trail. First of all, she has to face a hill. It is clear that a old woman who looks and dresses like her will not walk uphill as a young person would. Then, she goes downhill but she finds herself tangled with a bush, and she does not want to rip her dress off; however, she manages to get herself free. In addition, she faces a barbed-wire fence which is not an easy obstacle for anybody, but she goes through. However, the most difficult obstacle that Phoenix faces as she makes her way through the trail is a white man she encounters. This man, a hunter, definitely tries to get her out of finishing her journey. He tells her that She is too old, and even tries to scare her with his gun. At that point the man says, "…you must be a hundred years old, and scare of nothing…..you take my advise and stay home, and nothing will happen to you." (A Worn Path, 1304), but not even these words made Phoenix give up. She faces many obstacle along her journey, always managing herself out, and having her grandson as a reason to keep going. This trail confronts her with adversities that for a woman of her age are difficult to clear. This reminds you over and over that she truly love her grandson more than any obstacle that may await her.
	Definitely, it is love and desire what makes this old woman go through this trail. Phoenix herself, her dress, and the trail are very symbolic always remaining us what an effort she has to make in order to get medicine, and since it was Christmas a windmill for her grandson.
 
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