Civil Rights Movement

Introduction

In the short story by Eudora Welty "A Worn Path", the reader goes on a quest with Phoenix Jackson: to obtain medicine for her sick grandson. The path to town is a route she has taken many times. Throughout the story we observe the racism African-Americans endured during the Civil Rights movement, and the duties and responsibilities of an elderly woman.

Civil Rights Movement in the story by Eudora Welty "A Worn Path"

Although the 1940's were the turning point for the Civil Rights Movement, African-Americans were still scrutinized by whites routinely. During Phoenix's trip to get medicine, she gets knocked into a ditch by a dog, and can't get out by herself. Eventually a white hunter helps her out. Although the man helps her, he immediately makes it clear that he has prejudice thoughts towards African-Americans. The hunter asks Jackson where she is headed too, and she tells him that she's going to town. He retorts by saying "That's too far," and "I know you old colored people! Wouldn't miss going to town to see Santa Claus!". In a second display of disrespect towards African-Americans, the hunter hoists his gun right in old Phoenix's face. "Doesn't the gun scare you?", he says. When she shows no fear towards the man or his gun, he puts it back down and says "you must be a hundred years old, and scared of nothing. I'd give you a dime if I had any money with me," not aware of the fact that she picked up a nickel that he dropped on the ground, showing that he was lying to her face. In their parting words, he tells her to take his advice and stay home, so that nothing happens to her. Could you guess by the first line that this story was going to be about some type of struggle? If you have read many of Eudora Welty s stories, you will find that hardship in the South tends to be a topic she enjoys relaying to her readers. This first line is but one of many references to the setting of A Worn Path.

While the only blatantly racist remark that the hunter makes is to call Phoenix "colored", he does make many subtle comments which shows his dislike of African-Americans. With the interaction between the two, we see what it was like for Afro-Americans after slavery was abolished. Even though the story takes place towards the end of the Civil Rights Movement, there is still resentment in the way the hunter speaks towards Phoenix. Through Phoenix Jackson, Welty shows the attitude of the average white American towards African-Americans, in the South during this time.

During life, humans endure numerous duties and responsibilities, and many sacrifices are made to fulfill them. Phoenix Jackson's grandson swallowed lye two or three years prior, and his throat hasn't healed. While the remedy temporarily treats his throat, it hasn't shown any signs of curing it. Phoenix is the only person her grandson has left, and she feels ...