A Worn Path

"'Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass, no sir. Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush.'" -"A Worn Path"

     At least two of the review questions cover characterization and the importance of the minor characters' actions in the story. I felt like these questions were most important because the theme can be explained and vivified mainly through characters, just like the chapter overview says. I found most of the support for the theme through the actions of Phoenix Jackson alone, but some of the minor characters contributed as well. The above quote is just one of the several examples of behavior that presents the theme. Phoenix, an old black woman, is on this journey to get medicine for her son, but she is burdened and hindered by many things during her excursion. First, the plot shows that elements of nature, like large inclines and creeks, which she must overcome. Then she has to interact with some questionable characters, like the man with the gun and the patronizing nurse. Finally, it's her Alzheimer's. I realized that she had no animosity towards the natural things that caused her burdens. She never cursed the hill or the swamp, but she did have an attitude towards the people who saw it as a problem to give her monetary charity. Phoenix shows that one's attitude towards the inevitable burdens in life usually dictates his/her overall mood. She didn't focus on the money she didn't have, like the minor characters did. That is why she is much more stiff with them. Phoenix never saw a problem with the natural obstacles she had to overcome; she only tried to get across that money does not dictate happiness.