In "A Worn Path" how do the themes stand the test of time and relate to today?

I think one way of answering this question is to look at
the story as not something that is based in one contextual, historical period alone, but
as offering us an archetype. The archetype of a journey is one that occurs many, many
times in a variety of forms, as one central character tries to complete a journey, but
encounters many barriers and obstacles on the way. You only have to consider characters
such as Odysseus in the Odyssey to think of an excellent example.
In the same way, Phoenix Jackson is a character with a definite goal, but she has to
encounter and overcome a variety of obstacles on the path to her
goal.

If we consider this archetypal reading, we can see
that the themes presented in this excellent short story are truly timeless. All of us,
at one stage or another, have to engage on some kind of journey or a quest: it may be to
complete our studies or to get to a particular position in a job, but the archetype of a
journey is one that is truly timeless and that we can all connect to. Often, as in the
case of Phoenix Jackson, we set out on our own "worn path" for love, as she does for her
grandson. The love that we have for another person often gives us the strength and
endurance that we need to overcome the barriers on our "worn path," as love gives us
strength.