Worn But Not Torn

Upon first glance, “A Worn Path” is the story of elderly black woman’s bumpy path into town, but with a more thorough look, the story yields endless themes. Phoenix Jackson, the protagonist of the narrative, is going into town to buy her grandson medicine. This road that Phoenix is traveling on is all too familiar to her. She can close her eyes and navigate her way accurately. This road is so familiar to Phoenix because this path represents her life— her life of eternal determination and perseverance.

“A Worn Path” slyly shows issues of racism in mid-20th century society. While on the way into town, Phoenix Jackson runs into only one person. After falling into a hole, putting Jackson into a weak and vulnerable position, she must depend on the assistance of a white hunter. This hunter speaks down to Phoenix. His superiority is clearly present. This young white man refers to Phoenix as “Granny” (38). The term granny was often used to address African American women in the 1940s and 1950s. This term establishes Phoenix as a frail and aimless woman, which proves to be far form the truth. In addition, the hunter, throughout the entire interaction, is laughing to himself about Phoenix Jackson. He does not think that she is capable of such a journey. Her journey and, metaphorically, her life are a joke to him. He is putting himself on a pedestal when he chuckles, “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to town to see Santa Claus!” (48). In assuming this about Phoenix, the hunter is referring to her as a child. Phoenix is no more experienced in life than a typical child— her venture is no more pivotal than a child going to see Santa Claus.

Along the rough road to town, Phoenix must overcome many unexpected obstacles. This parallels the impediments that African Americans had to fight to conquer every day. In addition, this uneven road reflects the road blocks of Phoenix Jackson’s life. One of the obstacles made apparent to the reader, is Jackson’s struggle with poverty. Jackson is an elderly woman, alone in the woods, on an immense trek to retrieve medicine for her ill grandson. Jackson is desperate for money to buy the medicine. When talking to the hunter, Jackson sees a nickel fall from the pocket of the hunter. Her eyes are drawn to this heavenly sight. She, with great care and secrecy, moves this morsel of money into her pocket. Having had to fight for what she has, we see how incredibly moral Ms. Jackson is, “God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing” (54). She must do what she can for the survival of her grandson— even if that means diverting from her own moral compass. She will not only fight for her own life, but she will fight for the life of her loved one.

Poverty was not the only obstacle that attempts to slow Phoenix Jackson. From the beginning of the novel, I assumed that Jackson was blind. Although this is never specified by the author, there are a few key areas that trigger this theory. Jackson carries a cane with her on this journey “… and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her” (1). This makes the reader think that Phoenix Jackson has impaired vision. This is just another example of how determined and strong this aged woman is. Nothing is going to stop her in this journey, just as nothing is going to stop her in life. She will succeed in what she sets her mind on.

Phoenix Jackson was not only blind, but she is consumed by her mind. She often talks to herself on her expedition. In its most extreme form, her mind produces a hallucination that Jackson had to battle her way through. But, one again, not even the strength of her own mind could slow this aggressive woman down.

Phoenix Jackson, although confronted with many potentially altering problems, never so much as mentions her misfortunes. She looks to her goals. She needs that medicine and she will attain the medicine. She reaches for the future and what it has to offer her. She will not be slowed down by the past and its hardships. She appreciates everything good that comes her way. When the woman at the clinic offers Phoenix five pennies Phoenix thinks not of the charity, but of the present she will buy her deserving grandson. Phoenix is optimistic and looks at the brighter side of her often gloomy life. With great drive to progress in life, Phoenix Jackson had no time for tragedy. (788)

Questions:

1.)Is Phoenix Jackson a heroic character? Do you think the author intended on making her heroic?

2.)What is the significance of the boy that she hallucinates?

3.)Do you see any allusions to Christianity?

4.)What issues of racism are present in the story?