Allegory in "A Worn Path"

The journey Phoenix takes in “A Worn Path” definitely fits the mold of a quest allegory. Phoenix has left her home and travels to town in search of medicine for her grandchild. It seems she only ventures out in order to obtain the medicine. She knows that society is unkind to her people. She is not right in the head, referring to a two headed snake she had to sneak by in the summer. Also, she hallucinates when she sees a boy who hands her a piece of cake. When she goes to reach for the cake, there is nothing there. This makes her journey more difficult. Along the way she meets a man who refers to her as “Granny”. He is discriminating when he says, “‘I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Claus!’”(pg. 452) He shows his superiority by pointing a gun at Phoenix, although she is not afraid. She makes it into town and again is referred to as “Grandma” by a passing woman who ties her shoe for her. She is seen by society simply as an old, black woman who deserves very little. This is again shown by the attendant at the desk when she says, “’A charity case, I suppose’”(pg. 453). She is very old, saying she was too old to attend school when General Lee surrendered (pg 454). She has seen many things and has had a hard life. She accepts that she is looked upon as inferior and continues on with her “journey” of life, taking the hardships as they come. She knows what her purpose is, to love and care after her grandchild.