A Worn Path

Readers often wonder if Phoenix’s grandson is actually alive. Does your interpretation of the story change if he is alive or dead? If so, how? If not, why? Rely on a close reading of the text and key passages to support your essay.

The forest in “A Worn Path” is almost a character unto itself. Write an essay that examines the significance of the story’s setting. How does Welty imbue the woods with life and character? Why does she choose this landscape in particular?

Trace all the allusions you can find—literary, mythological, religious, social, historical, political, etc.—and determine which are most prominent. What is the significance of these allusions?

Some critics view Phoenix’s devotion to her grandson’s future as an investment in the future of Black rights and a gesture toward the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s. Do you think this view is a valid argument? Why or why not?

The scene in which Phoenix skillfully steals the white hunter’s nickel is described in great detail. Discuss the implications and broader significance of this event.

Christian religious symbolism is common in Southern literature from Welty’s era. How does Welty incorporate religion in “A Worn Path,” and to what purpose?

Why do you think Welty provides such limited background information on the characters? How does this authorial choice affect the story?

Discuss the various ways the story is about a “path.” Besides a literal path, what other paths may Welty want the reader to consider?