Eudora Welty sets “The Worn Path” in the mid-20th century – a time when African Americans were not considered equal to white Americans. Welty tells the story of Phoenix Jackson, an elderly African-American woman, who makes a long trip to town to get medicine for her chronically ill grandson. For most people, the journey from the countryside to a city within a city would not be very difficult. However, the fact that the crippled old Phoenix faces obstacles and some racist attitudes from the people she meets throughout the journey; she continues despite frequent obstacles in her path, including her own deteriorating health and her grandchild's poor prospects for livelihood. In "A Worn Path", Eudora Welty uses symbolism and characterization to show that complete determination and self-discipline allows Phoenix to accomplish her ultimate goal. goal (obtain medicine); and without these attributes, she certainly would not have succeeded. In fact, Phoenix becomes a great example for people facing disrespect and declining health, and perfectly illustrates the characteristics needed to succeed when obstacles get in the way of success. Welty uses many symbols from nature to illustrate his hope, perseverance, and face strength. of destitution. These symbols appear in several different sentences in the story and help show Phoenix's struggles against nature to get what she needs (medicine for her grandson). One of the main obstacles she faces is the hill. Every time Phoenix climbs the hill, she says, "It looks like I have chains on my feet, it's about time I got up here" (Welty 503). This phrase symbolizes the harsh life that Phoenix lived through the period of slavery and racism, and also the journey...... middle of paper...... happiness only. In the end, she is a very determined old woman, she is always determined to make this little boy very happy, even if it is to give him medicine to get rid of the pain or just to buy him gifts for calm his emotions. Welty presents Phoenix, throughout the story, as a determined woman, persuaded by compassion and encouraged by humor to overcome obstacles so that she can help her chronically ill grandson. This story teaches a wonderful lesson to anyone who feels that life's afflictions are too immense to overcome, and also provides advice on how to persevere to achieve goals that may seem impossible. Therefore, the way Welty uses symbolism to clearly show how difficult Phoenix's mission is, but the way she describes her character shows how humor and compassion help a person through difficult situations..