Eudora WeltyEudora Welty(1909 – 2001)(1909 – 2001)

Vocabulary DevelopmentVocabulary Development

Copy the Vocabulary Development words Copy the Vocabulary Development words from page 759.from page 759.

Early LifeEarly Life

Born in Jackson, MississippiBorn in Jackson, Mississippi

Lived there her entire lifeLived there her entire life

Father was an insurance manFather was an insurance man

Mother was a schoolteacherMother was a schoolteacher

EducationEducation

Attended Mississippi State College for Attended Mississippi State College for WomenWomen

Graduated from the University of Graduated from the University of WisconsinWisconsin

Did graduate work at Columbia UniversityDid graduate work at Columbia University

TermsTerms

Archetype – a very old imaginative pattern Archetype – a very old imaginative pattern that appears in literature across cultures that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages; can be and is repeated through the ages; can be a character, a plot, an image or a settinga character, a plot, an image or a setting

Theme – the insight about human life that Theme – the insight about human life that is revealed in literary workis revealed in literary work

““A Worn Path”A Worn Path”

Takes place during the DepressionTakes place during the Depression

One fourth to one third of the workers in One fourth to one third of the workers in America were unemployedAmerica were unemployed

Many people were forced to rely on charity Many people were forced to rely on charity for food, medicine, and even housingfor food, medicine, and even housing

Metaphors – journeys are often seen as Metaphors – journeys are often seen as metaphors for lifemetaphors for life How is Phoenix Jackson’s journey symbolic?How is Phoenix Jackson’s journey symbolic?

Imagery – details which appeal to the Imagery – details which appeal to the sensessenses Notice the sensory details throughout the Notice the sensory details throughout the

storystory

What is Phoenix doing as the story open?What is Phoenix doing as the story open?What does this opening imply about her journey?What does this opening imply about her journey?

She is walking along a path early one December She is walking along a path early one December morning.morning.

The opening implies that her journey will be long The opening implies that her journey will be long and hard. She has been traveling for some time.and hard. She has been traveling for some time.

What details show that Phoenix has traveled What details show that Phoenix has traveled this path before?this path before?

At a certain point she always feels worn At a certain point she always feels worn out. She knows where the pines stop and out. She knows where the pines stop and the oaks begin.the oaks begin.

What do you think the thorny bush might What do you think the thorny bush might represent?represent?

It might represent the unexpected It might represent the unexpected obstacles which one must overcome on obstacles which one must overcome on the path of life.the path of life.

Why does Phoenix talk to herself and to Why does Phoenix talk to herself and to objects?objects?

She may do this to give herself courage.She may do this to give herself courage.

She is elderly and may not care what She is elderly and may not care what others think about her.others think about her.

What can you infer about Phoenix from her actions What can you infer about Phoenix from her actions and words when she steals the nickel?and words when she steals the nickel?

She is sly.She is sly.

She feels guilty about stealing.She feels guilty about stealing.

She is poor and needs the nickel enough She is poor and needs the nickel enough to go against her conscience.to go against her conscience.

How does Phoenix overcome the possible How does Phoenix overcome the possible obstacle that the hunter represents?obstacle that the hunter represents?

She talks to him respectfully.She talks to him respectfully.

She stands up to him when he points the She stands up to him when he points the gun at her.gun at her.

What does Phoenix’s determination to What does Phoenix’s determination to continue her journey imply thematically?continue her journey imply thematically?

Her journey in life requires persistence Her journey in life requires persistence and courage.and courage.

What impression does “tower of steps” What impression does “tower of steps” produce?produce?

It gives the impression of a difficult climb It gives the impression of a difficult climb for an elderly person.for an elderly person.

Why doesn’t Welty reveal the reason behind Why doesn’t Welty reveal the reason behind Phoenix’s journey earlier in the story?Phoenix’s journey earlier in the story?

Not knowing the reason makes the reader Not knowing the reason makes the reader wonder why Phoenix goes on.wonder why Phoenix goes on.

Not knowing helps us to see her journey Not knowing helps us to see her journey as the universal struggle through life.as the universal struggle through life.

Not knowing adds suspense.Not knowing adds suspense.

Why is Phoenix’s grandson’s situation so Why is Phoenix’s grandson’s situation so desperate?desperate?

Her grandson’s throat has been so badly Her grandson’s throat has been so badly damaged by the lye that there are times damaged by the lye that there are times when he can hardly breathe.when he can hardly breathe.

Phoenix buys her grandson a windmill. How does Phoenix buys her grandson a windmill. How does her gift for him contribute to the theme?her gift for him contribute to the theme?

She is a woman who finds her way She is a woman who finds her way through all types of obstacles, time after through all types of obstacles, time after time, because of her love.time, because of her love.

How well does the metaphor of a “worn How well does the metaphor of a “worn path” work in this story?path” work in this story?

Let’s discuss what YOU think of this!Let’s discuss what YOU think of this!

READING QUIZREADING QUIZ

When does this story take place?When does this story take place?

What does Phoenix often do as she walks What does Phoenix often do as she walks along?along?

What does Phoenix do to distract the What does Phoenix do to distract the hunter as she steals the nickel?hunter as she steals the nickel?

What is Phoenix’s destination?What is Phoenix’s destination?

From what ailment does Phoenix’s From what ailment does Phoenix’s grandson suffer?grandson suffer?

ANSWERSANSWERS

The story takes place in December.The story takes place in December.

Phoenix often talks to herself.Phoenix often talks to herself.

She turns his attention to a stray dog.She turns his attention to a stray dog.

Her destination is a doctor’s office.Her destination is a doctor’s office.

He swallowed lye and damaged his throat.He swallowed lye and damaged his throat.