A Worn Path Group

Question:


kaseyfox
Student
College - Junior

In "A Worn Path," what does Phoenix mean when she refers to herself and her grandson as "the only two left in the world?"

Rate question:

Posted by kaseyfox on Thursday September 18, 2008 at 7:34 AM and tagged with a worn path, characters, grandson, phoenix, quotes, themes.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Phoenix is referring to the idea that the rest of her family is dead. She and her grandson are the only two remaining members of her family. This fact gives Phoenix the motivation to take such an arduous journey and to be so persistent in getting him help. If her were to die, she would be left alone, as the last one in her family. She wants to see her family survive and that means the grandson must grow up and have children of his own. The name "Phoenix" also implies this. The Phoenix was a mythical bird which would burn itself up only to rise from the ashes. Phoenix's family is almost gone and the only hope it has of "rising from the ashes" is her grandson.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/worn-path
    http://www.enotes.com/worn-path/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/worn-path/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Thursday September 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM