A Worn Path- Eudora Welty

"A Worn Path"
Eudora Welty

This poem was just kind of weird.  However, I loved the diction and the descriptions Welty provided of Phoenix.  On the first page, there are terrific descriptions of her and the manner in which she moves.  The old woman seems a bit out of her mind when she yells at the animals and starts talking to herself.  The story of her journey was amazing, really, because she could not clearly see the scarecrow that was within arm's reach.  She keeps talking to herself and answering questions that no one is asking, which also contributes to her old age and loss of sense.  It was also interesting that everyone Phoenix met called her "granny."  I think it lends to the idea that her trip is re-occurring and the whole community knows her.  I am one of the ones who believes her grandson to be dead because of the physical description of him, sitting still with his mouth constantly open.  One of the nurses says "throat never heals, does it?" (Welty, page 229).  To me, that definitely sounded as if he wasn't alive, and the medical staff knows that.