Delusions In A Worn Path By Eudora Welty
By using a narrative voice that is separate from the characters participating in “A Worn Path” Eudora Welty characterizes Phoenix Jackson as being motivated by delusions and a declining mental state. The protagonist of the story Phoenix Jackson travels far for a reason the reader doesn’t get till near the end of the story, and Phoenix herself forgets why she is at her supposed destination, nevertheless she makes the long journey. It is the narrator’s characterization of Phoenix that allows the reader to see Phoenix’s delusions from an outside viewpoint that seems knowledgeable and aware of Phoenix’s delusions.
Right from the beginning of the story, Phoenix shows signs of these delusions. In the second paragraph we see dialogue of her talking
to herself and making requests to someone or something when she is the only character present. Line 18 says “...Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction…” Furthermore she is seen talking to herself throughout the rest of the story.
More evidence of Phoenix Jackson’s delusional characterization is seen on line 12, the reader observes Phoenix reaching out and speaking to a child bringing her cake. However when she reaches out she realizes no one is there. At this point in the story there is no intimation to where Phoenix is going or why she is going there, the reader can only observe her delusions because of the third person perspective. Although on Page 7, line 4 Phoenix states she had forgotten why she had made the journey and there is no indication that she knew why while she was making the journey.
The author uses the narrative voice to show the reader the flaws in Phoenix Jackson’s mental state to ultimately illustrate the motive behind her long journey being nothing but insanity. Once Phoenix arrives at her destination it is revealed that she is there to pick up medicine for her grandson, however there is no previous mention of him and no indication that he exists or is still alive. Someone making such a long trip would surely have thought about the reason for it along the way, but all we see are delusions of an elderly woman. Phoenix Jackson’s only motivation is an unstable mental state.
Right from the beginning of the story, Phoenix shows signs of these delusions. In the second paragraph we see dialogue of her talking
to herself and making requests to someone or something when she is the only character present. Line 18 says “...Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction…” Furthermore she is seen talking to herself throughout the rest of the story.
More evidence of Phoenix Jackson’s delusional characterization is seen on line 12, the reader observes Phoenix reaching out and speaking to a child bringing her cake. However when she reaches out she realizes no one is there. At this point in the story there is no intimation to where Phoenix is going or why she is going there, the reader can only observe her delusions because of the third person perspective. Although on Page 7, line 4 Phoenix states she had forgotten why she had made the journey and there is no indication that she knew why while she was making the journey.
The author uses the narrative voice to show the reader the flaws in Phoenix Jackson’s mental state to ultimately illustrate the motive behind her long journey being nothing but insanity. Once Phoenix arrives at her destination it is revealed that she is there to pick up medicine for her grandson, however there is no previous mention of him and no indication that he exists or is still alive. Someone making such a long trip would surely have thought about the reason for it along the way, but all we see are delusions of an elderly woman. Phoenix Jackson’s only motivation is an unstable mental state.