A Worn Path by Eudora Welty

A Worn Path by Eudora Welty is a short story about a grandma named Phoenix Jackson who takes a long journey to a doctor's office. Throughout this journey, Phoenix experiences a great deal of both external and internal conflicts. Despite all of these obstacles she must overcome, she still is characterized as a strong, determined woman. One of the first conflicts the leader may learn about is that, “She carried a thin, small cane… and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her” (Welty, 223). After reading this line, the leader may infer that Phoenix is blind. Later on in the story, the reader observes that in fact Phoenix can see, but not very well. Although Phoenix has trouble seeing, she continues to make this long, challenging journey across rugged terrain. Phoenix may also be slightly mentally conflicted because it seems as though she is not completely there when, “Phoenix only waited and stared straight ahead, her face very solemn and withdrawn in to rigidity” (Welty, 229). After being asked a question, Phoenix seems to just space out almost as if she is losing her mental thought process. Both of these conflicts combined show that Phoenix may not be making a rational decision to take this journey, but she is motivated and determined to complete this quest.