Please explain the significance of the worn path in Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path."

The
significance of the physical, titular path that Phoenix Jackson uses to get to town when
retrieving medicine for her grandson is that it illustrates the love and commitment that Phoenix
has to her family. Phoenix is perfectly familiar with every aspect of the path, seeming to have
cataloged every step based on what it represents for her arduous journey. She approaches certain
moments with a warm familiarity and others with a resolute but still present dread, saying
"now comes the trial."

Even though Phoenix is in no physical
condition to be making such a journey, she still makes it "like clockwork," and others
on the path have become familiar with her. In fact, the only reason she is able to complete her
journey is because people in the city recognize her, even though she has forgotten why she is
there.