lit2020paper2 - Toruno 1 Justin Toruno Lit 2020 Sec 25 Dr...

Toruno 1
Justin Toruno
Lit 2020 – Sec 25
Dr. Greg Beaumont
April 7, 2008
Paper #2
Ethical and moral decisions are made all the time as each day expires. These decisions affect
ours and the lives of others with even the smallest choice we make. Sometimes, there are people who do
not even think about what the outcome will be for them as long as they are helping someone else. These
are the type of people that help America run with their senseless and unselfish acts of kindness. In, A
Worn Path , by Eudora Welty, the main character, Phoenix Jackson, shows her true colors by the end of
the story. She is faced with many obstacles on her journey, but continues on without hesitation because
she knows that her grandson is depending on her. When less fortunate people depend on the people who
are more capable, it gives everyone a chance to stand out ethically and morally.
As the story starts, we are introduced to a little, old African-American woman who is on a
journey with her destination being town. As the story progresses, Phoenix is faced with many natural and
manmade obstacles and it seems as if God is either testing her or just wants her to turn around. Phoenix
even stated in the story, “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far… Something always
take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay” (1544), when she reached the uphill portion of the
path. She knew that her decision to keep on walking was ethically and morally the right one because she
had a greater power fueling her. She even addresses each roadblock with respect and understanding.
Before she finished descending the hill, her next confrontation with nature was holding her back. She
snagged her dress on the thorns of what she thought was a bush. Carefully, she freed herself as to not rip
her dress. One phrase that kept repeating itself in my mind while I read, A Worn Path , was, out of the

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frying pan, into the fire. It just seemed that no matter how much she showed her respect and
understanding to her surroundings, more barriers got in her way.