Phoenix Jackson Character Analysis in A Worn Path Essay Example

In the short story “ A Worn Path” Phoenix Jackson journeys through daunting obstacles, both physical and emotional as she is determined to get medicine for her sickly grandson. This story beautifully aligns the unpleasant path for this elderly black woman into a cold town to the troubles African Americans go through to freedom and equality. The story represents  that regardless of how many times we travel down a path that does not  necessarily mean it will get better and if anything for some people it becomes even more difficult. Even when the people around Phoenix think she is crazy and an honest to god bother, she continues with her head up high and determined to achieve her goal. In ¨ A Worn Path¨ Eudora Wetly greatly illustrates a character named  Phoenix Jackson  who represents persistence, caring for others ,and fierceness.

Though the journey is a difficult one, Phoenix is determined and shows great persistence to continue.The narrator says, “At the foot of this hill was the place where a log was laid across the creek.‘Now comes the trial,’ said Phoenix. Putting her right foot out, she mounted the log and shut her eyes. Lifting her skirt, leveling her cane fiercely before her like a festival figure in some parade, she began to march across. Then she opened her eyes and she was safe on the other side"(Welty). Regardless of the fact that she is a much frail older woman she doesn't let that stop her on her journey. She even uses that to help her across, leveling her cane as she marches across the creek. She pretty much uses faith to guide her , as she closes her eyes and only opens them when she realizes she has made it safely on to the other side.Phoenix is so determined that she even makes a fuss at the animals when beginning her brave stroll through the pinewoods. Phoenix says, “Out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!… Keep out from under these feet, little bob-whites… Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction. I got a long way"(Wetly).  She shows no fear towards the animals and shows authority as if she owns the woods and the animals within it.

Throughout the story , Phoenix shows her ever caring nature towards others more specifically her grandson. She says to the nurse, “No, missy, he not dead, he just the same. Every little while his throat begin to close up again, and he not able swallow. He not get his breath. He not able to help himself. So the time come around, and I go on another trip for the soothing-medicine"(Wetly). She knows that this is something she will have to do for quite a while and she doesn't mind. Phoenix does not give up on her grandson and cares for him like no other. The narrator says, "Then she gave a tap with her cane on the floor. 'This is what come to me to do,' she said. 'I going to the store and buy my child a little windmill they sells, made out of paper. He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing in the world. I'll march myself back where he waiting, holding it straight up in this hand'(Wetly). With the money she is given from the attendant, the first thing she thinks of buying is a little windmill for her grandson. This really shows how much she cares for him. 

Finally, Phoenix shows her great fierceness throughout the story. The narrator says, The man came back, and his own dog panted about them. 'Well, I scared him off that time,' he said, and then he laughed and lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix.She stood straight and faced him.'Doesn't the gun scare you?' he said, still pointing it. 'No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done,' she said, holding utterly still¨(Wetly). Even when this White Hunter tries to scare her by waving a gun in her face because he finds it disturbingly amusing but she doesn't let that scare her. The hunter says,  “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Sata Claus!”(Wetly). Even when she is struck with racism with not only the hunter but also from the attendant, she doesn't let that bother her. She instead keeps her head straight and instead doesnt let it bother her and continues her quest. 

In the final analysis, Eudora Wetly presents a fictional character known as Phoenix Jackson as a Persistent, caring, fierce woman. As she makes her way through an obstacle filled path. She keeps her head on straight and no matter the racism, the animals, and even the weather she does not let anything stop her from achieving her goal. Phoenix is selfless as her only motive to go through this difficult journey is the sickness on her grandson.