A Worn Path

This story really confused me, because I couldn't figure out the point. I was also confused about the main character, an old lady Phoenix Jackson. During our small group discussion today, we couldn't figure out if Phoenix was blind or if her eyesight was failing. We picked up on small details such as her cane "tapping on the earth", her wavering balance, and her hearing everything around her. We also discussed the relevence and importance of Phoenix's grandson in the story. We thought that he could maybe be dead and she could possibly be going insane. We had a theory that she went to get the pills for her grandson so that she could take them. We got the idea that she had some mental issues when she talked to the animals and the scarecrow on the way into town. However, we also thought that her grandson could really be alive and the story could be centered around dedication, sacrifice, and love. Even though Phoenix is old and faces her own problems, she sacrifices her time and puts her grandson's needs before her own. She is willing to make the long journey, steal a nickel, and buy a windmill all for her grandson.