A Worn Path

by

Eudora Welty

Nurse Character Analysis

The nurse knows Phoenix from her twice annual visits to the doctor’s office. Though she is sympathetic to Phoenix, she is also a bit impatient when Phoenix is slow to respond to her and seems to consider her own time more important than Phoenix’s. She gives Phoenix the medicine and marks it down as charity.
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Nurse Character Timeline in A Worn Path

The timeline below shows where the character Nurse appears in A Worn Path. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
A Worn Path
Race and Class Theme Icon
Perseverance and Power Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
Human Dignity Theme Icon
...come with increasing frustration and condescension, but Phoenix does not respond to her. Finally a nurse comes out and, with a bit more kindness, identifies her as “old Aunt Phoenix” who... (full context)
Perseverance and Power Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
Human Dignity Theme Icon
The nurse, speaking loudly and slowly, suggests that the grandson will never heal. Phoenix, however, says the... (full context)
Race and Class Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
Nature and City Theme Icon
Human Dignity Theme Icon
After this the nurse reveals that the doctor has said that as long as Phoenix can come get it,... (full context)