A Worn Path

Q 4: Analyze the minor characters. What do they reveal about Phoenix and about the world in which she lives?

Obviously Phoenix, the main character, in this story is somewhat crazy. With old age she loses a lot of her senses and has become somewhat delusional. In the story Phoenix travels away from her home through a forest in order to get to the doctors office to get medicine for her ill grandson. She encounters several minor characters on her way: a hunter, a random woman on the street, a doctors attendant, and a nurse. Although the attendant develops somewhat of an attitude with Phoenix (probably as a result of impatience because Phoenix is unresponsive to her) the rest of the minor characters are very kind and sympathetic towards her. First Phoenix runs into the hunter. He insists that such a journey is too long for her and advises her to go home. He also gives her a nickel (or rather lets her keep the nickel she took). Next Phoenix asks a random woman to tie her shoe. This woman is carrying several bags and she still takes the time to set them down to help Phoenix. I don't know about you, but I tend to avoid talking to strangers. Of course if an old woman asked me for help I would help her- but the hunter went over and talked to her out of his own free will. Also, the nurse Phoenix sees has developed somewhat of a relationship with her. She inquires about Phoenix's grandson and shows that she genuinely cares about him. I think these characters support the idea that Phoenix is living in a safe and kind society. I think this contrasts a lot with the society in which we live today because I feel that no elderly woman in todays society (who is practically blind and deaf and delusional) would be safe.