Peer Essay Critique

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Article critique “A worn path”

Abby Blackburn’s article is an analysis of themes and literary styles of Eudora Welty's short story “A worn path.” Welty’s short story details the story of Phoenix Jackson, a Negro woman, in a grueling journey through woody Mississippi vested owls, foxes and coons looking for medicine for her ailing grandson. Blackburn provides an in-depth analysis of the writer’s styles and themes evident in the short story. The entire article provides patches of Welty’s captivating use of different styles, including an allusion to biblical stories and a deep message of love plainly highlighted in the article. The entire article contains examples the writer uses to strengthen claims and provide a better understanding of the text. This critique provides further evaluation of the writer’s presentation of literary styles, themes, and points based on the short story.

Throughout the article, the writer presents the concept of love as profoundly presented in Welty’s article. There are many instances in the text that the writer presents to support the theme of love. For example, the writer argues that Phoenix, a sickly and aging women, intention to journey through dangerous places and her willingness to face potential dangers to find medicine for her sick grandson show unconditional love for her grandson. The writer further alludes that Phoenix’s journey is a reminiscence of the bible’s entire theme of love, which Phoenix, who is seemingly a Christian, understands, and practices. The aspect of unconditional love is a strong thesis the writer painstakingly describes in the entire article. The writer of this article, meticulously describes the aspect of love giving in-depth details and examples to support the theme. While I think there is much truth in the writer's argument concerning love as a central concept of the story, I feel there many other themes that the writer failed to mention. The writer is excessively obsessed with love, which though I think it is important, the writer is obligated to mention other themes.

Literary devices are styles that every writer utilizes not only to present themes but also to make the story interesting and captivating. The short story “A worn Path” is rich in literary devices as the writer of this article presents. The writer discusses different literary devices used in the short story, including allusion, symbolism, and dilemma. The writer alludes to the bible many times; for instance, the writer compares Negro’s journey searching for medicine with biblical Moses. The woman's use of a cane to part her way is similar to Moses's parting water in the red sea. Importantly, the writer thinks that the Phoenix’s dedication and selfless quest to help someone is similar to what the bible teaches about love and selfless acts. The writer also mentions the aspect of symbolism as used in the short story; for instance, the use of buzzard symbolizes death or ending. The writer’s argument about the use of symbolism qualify, since those who have read the short know that Welty uniquely employs symbolism in her work

Although I think the writer succeeded in mentioning themes and literary devices available in the text using examples from the story, the analysis is not exhaustive. I think the story has other central themes worth mentioning and other literary devices not discussed. Writer’s intention is to analyze literary devices; however, the mention styles are shallowly discussed and few supporting evidence available. Generally, the writer succeeded in providing in-depth analysis themes and styles used in the short story and using examples and facts, and the writer successfully supported the claims.