Symbolism in a Worn Path - 1560 Words

Symbolism In Life and Death Jennifer Candis ENG 125 Ms. AltfeldFisher June 13, 2011 The short stories A Worn Path by Eudora Welty and Used To Live Here Once by Jean Rhys both carry the theme, symbolism of a journey. In both writings the authors used people, places and things to symbolize something extra, expanding the stories into more than just what is read. I chose these stories because they both consist of strong symbolic references to life. Each story was written in a third-person point of view and consisted of a journey made by the main characters, which in both cases happened to be a black woman. Although in one story the character was already dead and in the other, fighting death, there are many similarities between the†¦show more content†¦The giving of a gift that was used to purchase another is a generous symbol of what Christmas represents and was strongly displayed here. In Used To Live Here Once, the main character that is unnamed travels a journey similar to that of Phoenix Jackson. This woman too is African American and seems to be elderly based upon the way she reflects on her surroundings and also how she views children. The events that occur in this story seem to symbolize one’s life path and the decisions that may have been made throughout the course. The first obstacle that the woman faces is using stones to cross a river. She recalls the stepping-stones fondly and this is the first time you sense that she, like Phoenix, is familiar with the path that she has chosen. â€Å"She was standing by the river looking at the stepping stones and remembering each one.† As she remembers the stones, it seems that each one may have represented a point in her lifetime. For example, I feel that the â€Å"†¦safe stone where you could stand and look around,† may have represented childhood (R.W. Clugston, 2010). A safe place where you have not much responsibility and can take be a bystander until, you eventually grown up and have to make decisions for yourself. The author describes the day as, â€Å"a fine day, a blue day,† and the sky as having a, â€Å"glassy look that sheShow MoreRelatedSymbolism within in A Worn Path861 Words   |  3 PagesSymbolism is a literary device that uses objects or events that hides the even greater idea beyond what the text it gives you. For example, the bald eagle may seem like a fascinating bird, but to the eyes of an American the bald eagle represents freedom. Symbolism can be found throughout our everyday lives. Shoes have logos that are used to show what brand of shoes ones self is wearing, also money may seem like just paper, but it can also represent power. In the short story, A Worn Path, the mainRead MoreSymbolism of the Title a Worn Path891 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism of the Title â€Å"A Worn Path† The short story, â€Å"A Worn Path† by Eudora Welty describes a very interesting character whose name is Phoenix Jackson. She isn’t your average person. Phoenix is a very old and boring women but the story is still interesting. The title is very symbolic of the story and has a very good meaning. Throughout the story you begin to learn more and more about Phoenix and you also discover some important things. Phoenix Jackson is a very old and small woman. She woreRead MoreSymbolism in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty1106 Words   |  5 PagesIn the story â€Å"A Worn Path† uses a continuous number of literary techniques and there is an overflow of symbolism. In the story everything symbolizes an object symbolism is when an object in the story can relate to something. Symbolism is a literary technique that adds meaning to a story by using an event or object as a symbol to represent something else. Phoenix Jackson represents the most important thing in the story the ancient Egyptian bird the Phoenix. The story â€Å"A Worn Path† takes place in DecemberRead MoreSymbolism in A Worn Path By Eudora Welty1096 Words   |  5 PagesSymbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In a soccer team named Cruz Azul there is a person who symbolized hope for the team. His name is Christian Gimenez. Because he was injured he now comes in as a substitute. As soon as people see him getting warmed up they start screaming his name. In soccer when you are called up for the national squad most of the players have a sense of feeling proud for themselves because they get to represent a whole country. Also, in boxing whenRead MoreSymbolism in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty1818 Words   |  8 PagesUsing symbolism can take your story to a whole new level by showing us how each character feels in additional it can make a person or even an objects stand out a whole lot more. In Eudora Welty they used symbolism in many different ways that you can even notice them right away. In Eudora Welty ‘A Worn Path’ is a short story where symbols are found everywhere throughout many places where you read. This short story is about an old woman named Phoenix Jackson whom was a black African American thatRead MoreDecoding The Symbolism Used in A Worn Path by Eudora Welty1276 Words   |  6 PagesToday we will be talking about the different literary references used throughout Eudora Welty’s â€Å"A Worn Path†. I will explain and decode different techniques used by the author throughout her story. The story is of an old southern African American woman, named Phoenix Jackson, making her way into to town to pick up her grandsons medication from the doctor’s office. But this is no normal old woman. She cannot see and is picking her way with a cane to make her way across a barrage of obstaclesRead MoreSymbolic Source In A Worn Path by Eudora Welty1287 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism is a characteristic that stands out in a person or t hing. People usually use symbolism for something that means to them or represents to them. The symbols are used for many things, for example the apple on the iphone, laptop or iPod symbolizes the brand. Symbols are also used in churches, for example the cross symbolizes Jesus Christ. It symbolizes how he was crucified, put to death on a cross. The colors symbolize something’s to for example the colors white, red and blue symbolize freedomRead MoreEudora Welty s A Worn Path854 Words   |  4 Pages Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path portrays an elderly woman, Phoenix, who endures a regular, strenuous journey into town to receive medicine for her grandson from a charitable pharmacy. She encounters difficulty aroused by nature and disapproving townspeople but triumphs and succeeds her goal. The use of characterization and symbolism creates A Worn Path by representing a strong and significant protagonist, as well as offering a symbolic meaning of life and courage when faced with love. The short storyRead MoreSymbolic References in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path1378 Words   |  6 Pages Symbolism is used in many ways and writers use symbolism to â€Å"enhance their writing.† It can give their work â€Å"more richness and color and can make the meaning of the work deeper.† In literary work the actions of the characters, words, action, place, or event has a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story. The reader needs to look see the little things like a dove symbolizes peace, or like the red rose stands for romance. Mostly everything can have a symbolism meaning to it. For instance theRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of A Worn Path1221 Words   |  5 PagesOvercoming Obstacles: A Literary Analysis of â€Å"A Worn Path† Thesis: â€Å"A Worn Path† by Eudora Welty is one of the best short stories to incorporate different symbolic representations of determination and the will to live. I. Introduction II. Phoenix A. Definition B. Characteristics III. Natural symbolism A. Steep hill B. Thorns of bush IV. Perceived Racism A. Imagined cake B. White hunter V. Arrival in Natchez A. Nurses’ comments B