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Everyday people encounter obstacles that stand in the way of their goals. Phoenix, in A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty, has a mission to accomplish, but many things stand in her way. When she finally makes it, she has conquered her goal for that day. She also has a long-term goal, which is to make her grandson happy and well. Her walk to town on the path symbolizes her entire life, and the lives of everyone else. Everyone sets goals for themselves, but in the way of completing those goals, stand obstacles.
When people realize your dream and overcome those obstacles, they triumph. Phoenix, on this journey, has many dreams, obstacles, and triumphs. Foremost, Phoenix Jackson has many dreams throughout the course of her journey. The gold seal she sees is symbolic of her most important dream, and represents all peoples goals. It is attached to a document on the doctors door, which she sees after climbing the long flight of stairs. She entered a door, and there she saw nailed up on the wall the document that had been stamped with the gold seal and framed in the gold frame, which matched the dream hung up in her head (638).
The gold seal and frame not only represent her goal, but also show she is at the end of her rigorous journey. The dream hung up in her head is to get the medicine needed for her grandsons health. In the bigger picture, people sacrifice many things each day for their loved ones and are driven by that love. In addition, getting the medicine was ultimately for her grandsons happiness. The fact that they have no one left but each other drives her to make him happy no matter the circumstances. In this excerpt, Phoenix receives a nickel as charity from the nurse and she responds, 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. Ill march myself back where he waiting, holding it straight up in this hand (639). This excerpt shows her affection toward her grandson. Instead of buying food or something to drink for herself after such an arduous journey, she buys him a present. Love is obvious when someone puts other peoples needs before their own.
Sacrifice due to love is not only evident in this story, but in everyday life. Furthermore, along her journey and on the road to fulfilling her dreams, Phoenix faces many obstacles. The most manifest one is the hunter. He is extremely cruel to her because of her race, sex, and age. In one of his first lines of speech, he leaves no doubt that he despises blacks. He gave another laugh, filling the whole landscape. 'I know you old colored people!
Wouldnt miss going to town to see Santa Claus! (637). He infanticides Phoenix and thinks she is making the trip for no reason. Since he jumps to that conclusion, he tells her many times to go back home. He does not give this advice to be helpful but instead to show that since he is white, he has authority over her.
When she does not listen, he gets mad and points a gun in her face. At this point, there is no doubt that he is racist. This incident is a demonstration of the way things were for all black people in Mississippi right after the Civil War in the late 1930 s. She handles this adversity in an ideal fashion. She does not get mad or shy away, but instead confronts him and stands strong. Here, he tells her to go home and she responds: I bound to go on my way mister (637).
She is neither afraid nor disrespectful, but simply tells him that she will continue. She could have simply turned back but is driven by her love for her grandson, and her desire is to get his medicine. There are not many people who would stand up to someone with a gun in the middle of nowhere for someone elses need. Another huge obstacle is the staircase in front of the doctors office. It is the final stretch before she can complete her goal and is the part that requires the most physical exertion. Her determination and sacrifice are evident here.
In real life, when trying to complete a goal, there is always something that seems impossible to overcome, but it is important to continue. For Phoenix, this occurs when she is climbing the stairs. After she reaches the top, she realizes her mission is finished, and she is greatly relieved. People everyday have to overcome obstacles, great or small, to complete their goals.
At last, after overcoming all obstacles, there is nothing left for Phoenix but to fulfill her dream. When she reaches the top of the stairs she sees the gold seal, which signifies that she has finally completed her journey. The gold seal can be compared to a gold medal in the Olympics, and Phoenix probably feels as if she has won the greatest prize ever. This is a remarkable achievement, since her goal does not benefit her, but instead benefits her grandson. When Phoenix steps into the office, she is in awe that she has made it, and appears to blank out for a few seconds. The nurse asks her many questions but she does not respond.
Speak up, Grandma, the woman said. Whats your name? We must have your history, you know. Have you been here before? What seems to be the trouble with you? (638).
She is probably resting, and like everyone, rejoicing about her great accomplishment. She receives the medicine at this point. Old Phoenix held the bottle close to her eyes, and then carefully put it into her pocket. I thank you, she said (639).
Getting the medicine is the goal of her journey and she is happy. She holds the bottle close to her face making sure it is the right medication, so she would not have to make the journey again. Also at the doctors office, the nurse gives Phoenix a nickel, adding on to the money the hunter had dropped. With this money, she completes her ultimate goal, making her grandson happy. 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. Ill march myself back where he waiting, holding it straight up in this hand (639). She is obviously hungry and thirsty, due to such a long voyage, but puts that aside and spends the little money on a gift.
This is the greatest triumph of all, and the fact that this triumph is for someone else makes it remarkable. After she gets the medicine and buys the windmill, her journey and the story end, until the next time she will have to go get medicine. This happens in the real world; even after accomplishing something, there are more obstacles ahead. As depicted above, Phoenix overcomes many obstacles to triumph, and ultimately fulfill her dreams.
Her unselfish dreams were to get the medicine for her grandson to make him happy. She is making this whole journey for him. This characteristic demonstrates the theme of the story; sacrifice for a loved one. Phoenix does this throughout the story, and people sacrifice things for ones they love every day. Bibliography:
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