Discussion Questions about Eudora Weltys's "A Worn Path"

Discussion Questions about Eudora Weltys's A Worn Path

 

a.) What is the significance of the title?

          It is an intriguing title, it is vague yet descriptive. The title gives just a hint of what happens in the story, because Phoenix's journey is literally a worn path. She makes the journey "as regular as clockwork" due to her grandsons swollen throat.

 

b.) Why is the name Phoenix an appropriate name for the protagonist?

          It is an appropriate name for the protagonist because the mythical bird was said to live 500-600 years. The protagonist is also very elderly and faced ridicule while on her journey due to her age.Also in the beginning of the short story is says that "Her eyes were blue with age."

c.) Note where the Author refers to birds. Considering the symbolic meaning of birds, how does the bird motif contribute to the development of meaning?

          If there are good and alive birds, then good things happen to her soon or immediately after. If there are negatively thought of  birds or dead birds they symbolize bad things that happened or will soon happen.

d.) Note at least one other motif you discover.

          One other motif are the detailed descriptions of nature and her surroundings.

e.) What is symbolic about her journey back?

          It shows that even though she is elderly, she is willing to make a hard journey for someone that she loves and cares deeply for.