A Worn Path Critique - Essay Example

Despite the initial impression, one incident shows the roundness of her character as she picks up the nickel that slides from Hunter’s pocket, “God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing” (Welty, 3). This god-fearing nature is also typical of her age and racial background who had none but God to trust their fate upon and hence needs to fear them at times. The sole aim of her life is to save her grandson and for that reason she even opts for stealing but her realization of the commission of her guilt is unmistakable.

Other characters of the story are also of a round type. The hunter, for instance, initially appears to be harsh but when he sees that the old woman does not fear death, softens his tone and admires her courage. The nurse and the attendant though spoke initially with the old woman on a harsh note but finally sympathize with her. These ups and downs are signs of normal human nature. As these traits have reflected from the approach of all these characters, thus, neither of those can be classified as flat characters.

The main aim of literature is to reflect the different dimensions of life and due to the roundness of characters, the story has become a real depiction of life. The treatment of a poor, racially inferior old woman normally initializes with a poor welcome. The disadvantage of old age, economic backwardness, and also racial inferiority has been reflected here. However, the author does not forget to bring out the courage, typical of a black woman through the other characters’ behavior after knowing her. All the characters she meets later become kind toward her. However, the woman indulges in the act o stealth but earns the reader's sympathy when they know her cause.

Though is determined to save the life of her grandson yet she remembers her self-dignity. Thus, during the time of picking up the nickel, she feels the bite of her conscience. Later on, at the doctor’s chamber in the town, when the attendant offers her to give some money, she does not deny but at the same time she “stiffly” accepts the money (Welty, 5). Due to her extensive experience of life, she mostly looks at life from a rational angle but emotion overwhelms her as she is reminded of her grandson.

The hard stones turned by the old black women of the time in fighting against social injustice and economic inequality worked well in making them strong enough to face the struggles of life and accept everything situation rationally rather than being too sensitive. Phoenix Jackson represents this archetypical nature perfectly. Read More