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In "A Worn Path," what is accomplished by withholding the purpose of Phoenix's journey until the end?

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Withholding the purpose of Phoenix's journey until the end allows readers to focus on her character and develop sympathy for her determination and resilience. This delay also invites readers to fill in the narrative gap with their own assumptions, revealing more about themselves. The journey metaphorically represents life's challenges, emphasizing the universal struggles and perseverance inherent in the human experience. Ultimately, the revelation highlights Phoenix's deep love and dedication to her grandson.

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Before Welty reveals the purpose of Phoenix's long, eventful journey, she wants us to discover just what kind of person this remarkable old lady is. Withholding that purpose allows the reader to concentrate on Phoenix as a character. Among other things, this means that we can develop a degree of sympathy for her as she embarks upon the long, hard trek to Natchez.

In some respects, Phoenix's journey is a metaphor for life. If that is indeed the case, then it makes sense for Welty to focus on the events of life's great adventure rather than any underlying purpose it may have. We can disagree about the true purpose of life—or even if it has any kind of purpose in the first place—but no one can deny that life is full of perils, replete with trials and tribulations. By concentrating the reader's attention on the numerous obstacles one encounters on life's journey, Welty invests her story with universal appeal.

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This plays upon the reader's own preconceived notions regarding the description of Phoenix. Welty gives the reader a known gap or lack of information. This is called a "lacuna" and the reader is provoked into filling this gap with guesses. The nature of the guesses say much more about the reader than the character. This puts the reader on one side of the shotgun or the other. That moment makes the reader chose. Either we identify with one character or the other.

In finally disclosing the purpose of the journey the reader must try to fathom the deep love she shows for her grandson.

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