A Worn Path Persistence
A Worn Path - PersistenceAn author by the name of M. C. Richards once stated the value of persistence. This statement reads, “A knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other.” In other words, persistence is more important than knowing the path on which one is walking. Because of persistence, humankind has long evolved from the primitives of the Stone Age. Even now, humankind struggles against war, bigotry, and poverty. This idea of persistence is evident in Eudora Welt’s “A Worn Path.” In this work, the tale of the unstoppable love and care of an old woman for her grandchild is illustrated.
This unstoppable love and care of an old Negro woman, Phoenix Jackson, was illustrated through her journey to the city of Natchez to get medicine for her chronically ill grandson. Because of her old age, Phoenix Jackson struggles through this journey that the young could easily travel through. She began her journey on “a bright frozen day in the early morning” in December. Phoenix Jackson was “very old and small,” and walked like “the pendulum in a grandfather clock” ever so carefully with “a thin, small cane made from an umbrella (p764).” She wore a “dark striped dress… and an equally long apron of bleached sugar sack, with a full pocket: all neat and tidy (p764).” Her eyes were “blue with age” and her skin had “a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead. (p764).” As she began her journey, she talked to herself and warned all the “foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons, and wild animals” to keep out from under her feet for she had a long way to go. She was determined to go down that path despite anything that might come between her and getting the medicine for her grandson. This showed that her body may be worn out, but the attitude that she took and desire that she had in order to get the medicine for her grandson was not.
In addition to her failing health, she faced other obstacles along her worn path. One such obstacle she encountered was a thorn bush. After she traveled downhill, she soon found herself caught in a thorn bush. Talking to the bush, she stated that the thorns were doing their appointed work and that her old eyes thought it was a “pretty little green bush.” However, she managed to free herself. This was the first of four obstacles she faced.
Another obstacle she faced was a barbed-wire fence blocking her path. There she had to “creep and crawl, spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb the steps (p765).” She passed through telling herself that she could not afford to “pay for having her arms and legs sawed off.”
Furthermore, Phoenix Jackson had to face a dog and the bias of a hunter. Startled by a stray dog, Phoenix fell into a ditch. Eventually, a hunter and his dog encountered her and pulled her out of the ditch. When he heard of her journey to Natchez he stated that the journey was too far. He told her that she was too old, and even tried to scare her with his gun. At that point the man said that she must be “a hundred years old, and scared of nothing…take my advice and stay home, and nothing will happen.” Not even these words from the hunter could make Phoenix give up. Despite all of these adversities, Phoenix continued and reached Natchez.
Because of her determination through the difficulties, Phoenix reached Natchez. When she entered “the big building”, evidently a medical facility, she didn’t speak and appeared disoriented. A nurse recognized her and inquired about her grandson who swallowed lye two to three years ago. She told the nurse “he not able to swallow. He not get his breath.” She then stated that they were “the only two left in the world” and he suffered but it didn’t seem “to put him back at all (p768).” These statements illustrate that not only was Phoenix determined to survive, but also her grandson was determined to stay alive.
All of these elements - the failing health of Phoenix, the obstacles she faced, and the determination she showed in order to save her grandson - illustrated the power of perseverance in today’s world. Mother Theresa, a beloved humanitarian, once stated, “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it” In other words, to succeed one needs to persevere. In this way, Phoenix Jackson succeeded. Phoenix Jackson encountered many adversities along her journey, but managed to continue. Her perseverance in the face of tremendous obstacles is admirable considering her age and declining health. This story reminds the reader over and over that she truly loves her grandson, and that she is determined to overcome any obstacle to achieve her goal. The only things that keeps her from giving up is the love she has for him and the fact that all they have in this world is each other. Like Phoenix Jackson, humanity perseveres. Humans have continually evolved and enriched themselves in perseverance for life and knowledge. Although today’s generation has many advantages, they must continue to strive for love and enrichment.