Never Give Up:
A Character Analysis of Phoenix from Welty’s “A Worn Path”
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Thesis statement: In “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson displays extraordinary perseverance in the face of difficulty, which ultimately allows her to accomplish her goal. I. Personal obstacles A. Body B. Mind II. Physical obstacles A. Nature B. Society
Never Give Up:
A Character Analysis of Phoenix from Welty’s “A Worn Path”
Although Phoenix Jackson is old, tired, dirty, and poor, nothing can stand in her way. In Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” Phoenix jumps off the page as a vibrant protagonist full of surprises as she embarks on a long, arduous journey to…show more content… In one particularly harsh event, she falls into a ditch after being startled by a dog—“like a little puff of milkweed” (316; 35). Instead of becoming angry about her predicament, she starts talking to herself nonchalantly. “Old woman … that black dog came up out of the weeds to stall you off, and now there he sitting on his fine tail smiling at you” (316; 36).
Although faced with human obstacles, Phoenix is always quick to take control of the situation and does not back down. When she encounters a young man who tries to frighten her by aiming his gun in her direction, “[s]he stood strait and faced him” (317; 56). He then warns her, “… you take my advice and stay home, and nothing will happen to you” (317; 59). However, even this does not slow her down. She simply says, “I bound to go on my way, mister …” and continues on, undeterred (317; 60). Phoenix’s unwavering nature makes her character seem fixed; regardless of her circumstances, she does not personally experience “any change or growth” (Roberts and Zweig 1206).
Roberts and Zweig describe a protagonist as “the first or leading struggler,” and struggle she does (1205). Phoenix Jackson, ever focused on her objective, does not merely fight obstacles; she goes through them as though they are not even worth contemplating. She allows nothing to dissuade her. Thus, she is a shining example of what can be accomplished if one is determined. For every challenge,
