Michael Thomas Harbuck						English 1201-SCC
27-02-2008								questions Path
Ambrose								Sanford, Florida

A Worn Path written by Eudora Welty

1.  In this short story, there is an omniscient narrator, who relays the goings of the old 

woman.  There is no point of views from any of the different charachters who are met 

along the way, but there are vivid descriptions by the narrator, which set the story.

2.  The Phoenix is an esoteric creature, which is born over and over again.  Perhaps 

the strength, energy, fervor, and love of the old  woman is to be born again in another, 

and thus has been named so by the author to point mankind, aka the reader, towards 

the idea that there is no death of all that is good.  

3.  The descriptions of the surroundings and the memories of Phoenix are neither 

dreams nor hallucinations, but are reality.  Not only are the descriptions poetic, but 

also are viable for age of the woman, her experience over any of the readers 

concerning the scenes and objects depicted.  Also, one must  respect the elders, and 

what they have learned well before any others had observed the same.  The story is a 

well written and beautifully stylized piece which should be a cornerstone of others who 

wish to be as descriptive and artistic as Ms. Welty. 

4.  The Caucasians who meet the woman, are not brutal to her, and they are respectful 

of her age, and are concerned about her health also.  She is a part of the community. 

There was no real indication that Phoenix was in any particular regional area.  There 

would be persons who  would address others of any race or gender anywhere in the 

same manner.