A Worn Path-Theme

    Racism: The belief that all members of each race posses characteristics, abilities or qualities specific to that race. Especially as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race(s). Racism is also a recurring theme in the short story "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty. Throughout the course of the story the protagonist, Phoenix Jackson, voyages across a great deal of terrain to pick up medicine for her sick grandson's throat. Amid this adventure she endures a countless amount of obstacles that are all allusions to her race made by the author. She has to deal with very rude interactions along the way with several white people. The first with a hunter, who finds her shortly after her old, feebly body has been knocked into a ditch by a dog. Before he helps her he takes a moment to laugh and display his pure ignorance for her struggle. "Granny...what are you doing there"? He is purely mocking poor Phoenix at this point. However, if this was an elderly white lady he would not have hesitated to pull her out of there immediately. After she deals with the likes of the hunter and the dog she continues to the pharmacy where she is again treated without the least bit of respect. The man and woman working there keep referring to her as "Grandma", clearly showing no recognition of respect for the elderly. They then repeatedly asked her if she is deaf, clearly disinterested in her well being. They were just furious at the fact she may be ignoring their questions about the health of her grandson. These judgemental and racial interactions yet again highlight the theme of segregation and racism in this selection.