Rhetorical Questions in "A Worn Path"

Phoenix travels far from her home to get to town through many woods and fields. As she travels she frequently talks to herself and to the noises or sights she sees on her journey. For example, she spots a buzzard in the field and asks, "Who you watching?" (225). Talking to herself seems to comfort her as she makes such a long journey alone. It also seems to help her feel less lonely and more powerful against these creatures she comes into contact with. Her thoughts are always focused on just getting through to the next step on her path while trying to prevent anything from inhibiting that. I felt a lot of sympathy for Phoenix. Despite her age, she continues to make trip after trip to town to help her grandson without any help from others.