Lesson 1 – The Hero’s Journey
“A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty
TEXT DESCRIPTION: This short story tells the story of a life’s journey through allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that
can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
What will I learn today?
Topics:
 The concept of physical and mental journeys
 Themes: The role of symbolism in how people give value
to their lives
What will I do to show that I learned it?
Examine the symbolic meaning of texts “A Worn Path” (anchor
text)
Analyze character and theme development of “A Worn Path”
DIRECTIONS: COMPLETE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TASKS BELOW.
1. Read
2. Summarize
3. Discuss
4. Reread
TASKS:
Whole Class: Read “A Worn Path” aloud.
Independently create a timeline or map that summarizes Phoenix’s journey. For each event on the
timeline or map, list:
(1) the action taken and resulting effect that leads to the conclusion of the story,
(2) significant characters or objects, and
(3) the setting.
Use your timeline or map to consider the following questions:
1. Within the sequence of events, when does the action begin to create a problem or conflict?
2. When does the problem become most urgent?
3. When is the conflict resolved?
Pairs: Reread “A Worn Path.” As you reread, note words/phrases, images, ideas, objects, or events that
repeat throughout the story. While they may not repeat in exactly the same way, consider the pattern
and the significance of the patterns.
5. Review the
concepts of
symbol and
motif.
6. Discuss
7. Write
Pairs: Discuss the following questions:
1. What words/phrases, images, ideas, objects, or events repeat or are emphasized throughout the
story?
2. What could these symbolize?
3. Can you categorize any of the symbols into recurring motifs?
4. How do those motifs develop meaning or a theme in the text?
Whole Class: Consider how examining the symbolism in the text changes the meaning of the text (i.e.,
reveals the layers of meaning; develops allegorical meaning).
Note:
Make sure you are identifying symbols and understanding their significance related to a theme of the
text, not just listing every object and making up a meaning unrelated to the larger purpose of the text.
Use accountable talk throughout the discussion and cite evidence from the text to support your ideas.
Discussion questions:
1. What are some of the symbols and motifs you examined with your partner?
2. What is this story about on a literal level? How is Phoenix’s trip into the city representative of
journeys in the wider human experience?
3. Consider Phoenix’s name. What is the significance of her name to a theme of the story?
4. What motivates Phoenix’s journey into the paved city? How does this motivation give her
journey meaning?
5. How do Phoenix’s reactions to the trials on her journey reveal a central idea or theme of the
story?
6. Consider the title of the story. What does the description of the path as “worn” convey about
Phoenix’s journey, both literally and allegorically?
Answer the following question in writing using the RACE format:
How does Welty use symbols to develop a theme in “A Worn Path”?
TIMELINE
Directions: Create a timeline or map that summarizes Phoenix’s journey. For each event on the timeline or map, list:
(1) the action taken and resulting effect that leads to the conclusion of the story,
(2) significant characters or objects, and
(3) the setting.
Event
1.
2.
3.
4.
Action Taken
Resulting Effect
Significant characters
or objects
Setting
Event
Action Taken
Resulting Effect
Significant characters
or objects
Setting
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
What is the conclusion? How does Phoenix’s journey end as a result of her actions?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________