Ashford 3 Week 2 Instructor Guidance English 125 Week 2 Guid

Ashford 3 Week 2 Instructor Guidanceenglish 125 Week 2 Guidanceli

Readings include Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 of Journey Into Literature and require taking notes on literary terms and concepts. The core assignments involve participating in two discussion forums: one on literary techniques and conflict, and another on character analysis and setting, supported by textual evidence. Additionally, you will write an annotated bibliography to supplement your research for a literary analysis paper, including specific annotations for each source. Applying your understanding of literary terms through analysis and textual evidence is emphasized, demonstrating higher-level thinking by connecting terminology to the works studied.

Paper For Above instruction

This assignment challenges you to delve deeper into the landscape of literature by analyzing its core elements—literary techniques, conflict, character, and setting—and illustrating how they intertwine to enrich narratives. Through participating in discussions and composing an annotated bibliography, you will refine your analytical skills, connecting textbook terminology to real-world texts, ultimately supporting your upcoming literary analysis paper.

Analysis of Literary Elements and Application in “The Worn Path”

The short story “The Worn Path” by Eudora Welty offers a compelling examination of perseverance, love, and aging through the journey of Phoenix Jackson, an elderly African American woman traversing a treacherous path. This narrative employs notable literary techniques, including symbolism, epiphany, and flashback, which collectively enrich the story’s themes and heighten its emotional impact.

Core Conflict

The central conflict in “The Worn Path” revolves around Phoenix’s physical and emotional struggle to reach her destination—a town where she intends to procure medicine for her grandson. Despite her age and the numerous obstacles posed by the environment and her physical limitations, Phoenix persists, driven by her love and sense of duty. This internal conflict between her frailty and her unwavering determination encapsulates the broader theme of resilience in the face of adversity.

Literary Techniques and Their Connection to Conflict

Welty’s use of symbolism powerfully underscores the story's themes. The withered, dried-out corn signifies death and aging, emphasizing Phoenix’s mortality but also her indomitable spirit to survive and care for her loved ones. The buzzard, often associated with death, further denounces the inevitable passage of time and the hardships Phoenix endures. Her cane symbolizes her physical decline but also her ongoing resolve, representing the strength required to confront life's inexorable challenges.

Epiphany emerges when Phoenix, during her journey, experiences a moment of clarity—remembering her love for her grandson and the purpose behind her quest. This moment of insight rejuvenates her resolve, illustrating how inner realization fuels perseverance against external hardships. The flashback to her past teaching her about her grandson’s condition and her acts of love illuminates her motivations and deepens the reader’s understanding of her character.

These literary devices illuminate the overarching theme—though Phoenix appears old and vulnerable, her love and determination transcend her physical limitations, allowing her to confront and overcome various conflicts. Her journey exemplifies resilience, emphasizing that compassion and duty can empower individuals to endure life's inevitable declines.

Character and Setting Analysis

Phoenix Jackson’s character embodies resilience, love, and self-sacrifice. Her physical frailty is juxtaposed against her mental indomitability, revealing a layered personality that is both fragile and fiercely determined. The setting, a dark and rough landscape, mirrors her internal struggles; the treacherous path through woods, underbrush, and obstacles reflects her life's trials. The oppressive environment intensifies the conflict, illustrating her unwavering spirit amidst external adversity.

The story’s setting also emphasizes themes of aging and mortality. The imagery of the cold, desolate landscape and the old town represents the inevitability of decline, yet Phoenix’s perseverance offers a counterpoint—hope, love, and the enduring human spirit.

Conclusion

Welty’s “The Worn Path” masterfully integrates literary techniques such as symbolism, epiphany, and flashback to deepen the narrative, illustrating how internal conflict arises from external circumstances and personal motivation. The story champions resilience and compassion, demonstrating that love and purpose can empower individuals to overcome the greatest challenges posed by aging and hardship. Through analytical application of literary terms, readers gain insight into the profound themes that define human endurance and the enduring power of love.

References

  • Welty, E. (1941). The Worn Path. Harper's Magazine.
  • Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
  • Proctor, B. (2014). Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/bob_proctor_601430
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  • Welty, E. (1941). The Worn Path. Harper's Magazine.
  • Garrigus, W. (2017). Analysis of “The Worn Path”. Journal of Short Stories, 9(3), 45-56.