The story A Worn Path, by Eudora Welty, tells the journey on foot of an elderly black women, Phoenix Jackson, from her home to the nearest town. She makesthe journey to go to the doctor to get medicine forher sick grandson. On the trip, she runs into sometrouble here and there with her dress getting caughtin the underbrush and old age getting to her. Sheencounters a big dog that knocks her over, but is soonrescued by a passing hunter. As she gets to town,Phoenix asks a woman to her to help her tie her shoesthen, proceeds to the doctors office. When shearrives there, her memory fails her and she forgetswhat her long trip was for. The light comes on andshe remembers her grandsons medicine. She gets themedicine and the money the nurse gives her, goes andbuys a gift for her grandson and sets off for home. Inthis story, old age and class alienate Phoenix fromsociety.Old age alienates Phoenix from a hunter sheencounters on the trail. Age alienates Phoenix fromthe hunter when he assumes her age enables her tocontinue her trip to town. The hunter states, Why,thats too far! Thats as far as I walk when I comeout myself and I get something for my trouble... Nowyou go home, Granny! (Welty, 215) By saying the tripis too far, the hunter shows he does not believePhoenix can make it to town due her elderly age. Whenhe says ... and I get something for my trouble(Welty, 215), the hunter infers that he feels Phoenixhas no business being out there making the long trip,and there is no reason good enough for her to beventuring that far. The hunter alienates Phoenixbecause her age by telling her the trip is too far andcalling her Granny.Class alienates Phoenix Jackson from the attendantsin the doctors office. As Phoenix walks in the doorone attendant says, A charity case, I suppose(Welty, 216). Based on appearance alone, theattendant makes the assumption that she was a charitycase. A poignant scene at the storys close confirmsthe readers sus...
