Реферат: Worn Path By Eudora Welty Essay Research

of Welty?s story. Now the odds have gone up against this poor, old woman.

Welty carries on with this image of an old woman traveling a path as if she were

sleep walking. But as she approaches the doctor?s office ? her feet knew to

stop,? and she appeared to have no recollection as to where she is going or

what she is doing there (135). As she enters the office she stares off into

space and ?for[gets] why[she] made [her] long trip? (136). It seems that she

has come all of this way and cannot remember a thing, except the daydreams she

floated in and out of on her way there. However, one thing does stand out: the

gold diploma seal in the doctor?s office (135). Here Welty allows Phoenix, an

old woman, to recall the one thing that symbolizes something to her, a victory.

Phoenix may not recollect why she is there, but that certain document lets her

know that she is where she needs to be. It also stands for a prize, her

grandson?s medicine. A good friend of Welty?s adds that ?there are

half-states, mixtures of dream and reality, or rapid shifts between the two

worlds? which are ?fact and fantasy? (Vande Kieft 135). Ruth Vande Kieft

also explains that ?A Worn Path? is not the only story in which Welty?s

characters drift between dream and fantasy life (82-92). The odds against

Phoenix are definitely taking their toll upon her. On an earlier page, 133, the

author describes one of her movements relating to a baby. Is Welty trying to

imply that Phoenix displays characteristics of a young child, not only in action

but in thoughts as well? Some say that when someone becomes old, they start to

revert back physically as well as mentally. As Welty shows the effects of old

age, it is at this time that the conflicts become very apparent. This particular

conflict is with herself. She is old and cannot stop the occurrences that take

place to her body and mind as she grows older. Another conflict that contributes

to the plot is Phoenix?s journey through the woods. An obvious factor is the

trip to town. Since Phoenix lives out in the country, she must walk a far

distance to encounter any kind of civilization. The title ?A Worn Path?

implies that Phoenix has made this journey many times. Here the reader gets the