Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Indirect Characterization: A Worn Path

"'Out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons, and wild animals!... Keep out from under these feet, little bobwhites... Keep the big wild hogs out of my path. Don't let not of those come running my direction. I got a long way.'"

A lot of this story is spent describing Phoenix, whether it be through physical appearance, dialogue, etc. However, not much of the story describes what she is actually like as a person. The author spends plenty of time saying "she carried a thin. small cane" and " she stood free, and after a moment dared to stoop for her cane". But what does that say about her? That is the important part of this story. In the questions at the end, a writer asked the author "Is the grandson really dead?". Though the question seems somewhat random, the author's response was very important: "Phoenix is alive". By this, the author means that its not the life of her grandson that motivates Phoenix, but the love of her grandson. No matter whether he is dead or not, no matter whether all her efforts may be wasted, it is the love that keeps her going on her quest even when it may all be in vain. That is what the descriptive parts of this story say about Phoenix. They make it evident that her motivator is love, and it must be strong for all she is willing to do.

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