The Symbolism of the Name Phoenix in a Short Story a Worn Path by Eudora Welty

Phoenix Jackson, although, old and frail, draws upon her immense love for her ailing grandson which enables her to enthusiastically produce forbearance, ingenuity, and resiliency as she continues her struggle of life. Eudora Welty in her short story, "A Wom Path," gives the name "Phoenix," to the protagonist, in which the name itself, describes the tale to be told.

A Phoenix is a mythological Egyptian firebird, who rises out of the ashes of its former self. This magnificent bird regenerates itself after five hundred years and lives on for five hundred more. This character rises from the ashes of her trial and tribulations she has had to endure throughout her life, so that her grandson will have a chance. Phoenix is a hero, who proves that true love endures all. The responsibility to her grandson is her only reason to continue life's struggle. Welty symbolically illustrates the hurdles that one must face through the perseverance of an aging black woman.

In each of the deterrents that she encounters, Phoenix Jackson metaphorically confronts these endeavors of love and life. The path represents the journey, which she has taken throughout her existence. Her radiating determination to climb the hill even though it feels that chains are bound around her feet shows how strong of a character she really has become. Once at the top, she realizes how strong she has become, although she is still old and tired.

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This encourages her to continue as she has done so many times before as she states, "I in the thorny bush, Thorns doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass." As she pulls herself free from one obstacle, she becomes entangled in another just as she does in life. Phoenix loves to test her strength exclaiming: "Now comes the trial, "blindly crossing the stream to arrive safely on the other side acknowledging her success, "I wasn't as old as I thought!" (292) She trudges along the path, with only her flimsy cane to carry her as if it were her friend, encouraging her to keep on going.

Creeping and crawling through barbed-wire fences, facing the seasons of the bulls, and the two- headed snakes that had once broken her heart. She knows that her time is soon to draw near but her love passes her through rough mazes. She reaches a point in her own path that is level telling herself to "Walk pretty, this is the easy place, the easy going." (293). No one knowing the meaning of life, for that is what is to be learned. She meets her opposition telling her she is too old, just to give up in which she refuses, afraid of nothing. She passionately continues onward to reach her goals.

All along, she denies the temptations that she longs for. Tormented by a deteriorating memory, Phoenix tries to recall why she is at this point during her life, concluding that if it wasn't for love she may not even be alive at all. "My grandson. It was my memory had left me. There I sat and forgot why I made my long trip." (295). Dwelling on the trials and tests endured throughout life can make us forget our ultimate purpose in life. Phoenix understands the importance of life.

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