A Worn Path

Themes

 

"A Worn Path" is a story about determination and resolution. From the introduction, the reader is made aware of the fact that the protagonist – Phoenix Jackson – is either of strange circumstance or stoic resolution: "It was December... far out in the country... she was old and small and she walked slowly in the dark pine shadows." The story explains that "she looked straight ahead (449),"even with the knowledge that there be "wild animals (449)." Despite some degree of isolation, she persisted "past cabins silver from weather, with the doors and windows boarded shut... (451)." She also knew that she was ailing from some degree of delirium: "when she went to take it there was just her own hand in the air (450). In these examples we see that Phoenix is braving weather conditions, despite the fact that she is physically helpless against wild animals and is of no great physical strength. Because of this contrast, her mental strength is more pronounced in the story. Even while having a gun in her face miles from any help, she stands unimpressed by her assailant: "he lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix... 'Doesn't the gun scare you? (452)'" She then responds, "No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done... (452)."In this same encounter, we see that Phoenix endures racism in comments like, "I know you old colored people (452), but Phoenix is undeterred. She endures ageism inherent in the elder-speak of nurse: "'that's just old Aunt Phoenix'... 'Aunt Phoenix, don't you hear me? (452)'"This being said, the story can be interpreted as a message of persistence and rising above circumstance. An equal theme, being dignity, and lesser themes: prejudice and civic duty. The latter is not elicit in any singular passage, but rather, a need that is developed and demonstrated throughout the story as a whole. We see a deficiency in the civic duty of charity when the hunter tells Phoenix, "I'd give you a dime if I had any money with me," immediately after money falls from his pocket.