Racism_In_A_Worn_Path

Racism In A Worn Path Racism in “A Worn Path” In Welty’s “A Worn Path”, Phoenix Jackson’s encounters with other characters as well as her thoughts and perceptions demonstrate a theme of impending black equality in the south after the civil war. Throughout the story there are many references to race and racism. Her thoughts and comments on the way to town, the hunter she happens upon, and her visit to the medical building all demonstrate that racism is an integral part of this story, and indeed a part of her time. The world that Phoenix lives in is a much different world than the one of today where equality is important. In her time, race was a very deciding factor on social hierarchy, and this is clearly indicated in, “A Worn Path.” On her way to town, Phoenix says while climbing up the tiresome hill that runs through the path, “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far.” This is clearly an indication of a reference to bound slaves that old Phoenix can remember from her younger years. She also notes, “Something always take a hold of me on this hill—pleads I should stay.” This statement seems to be referring to phoenix, black, world, hunter, time, racism, path, worn, white, welty, very, town, theme, one, old, gold, while, upon, thoughts, story, reference, out, nurse, journey, equality, ditch, day, clearly, african-american, about, years, way, war, utter, through