Between "A Worn Path" and "All God's Children Can Dance" there are a few distinguishable similarities or themes. The first I want to point out is less of a theme than it is a "feel". Both stories have a surreal, dreamlike quality to them, and the encounters with other people seem very strange and shadowy, like a ripply pond of water. Both main characters have trouble remembering or discerning why they are on their separate journeys, yet both feel drawn in a way towards their destination (whether that be a person or place). The dancing in both stories must have a deeper meaning, such as coming to grips with one's identity or expressing inner feelings. Both stories have a strange tug-of-war between life and religion going on. The main character in AGCCD seemed to have difficulty finding out who he really was because he had never been faced with hardship or disapproval- in fact, it seems like he was glorified and approved of ever since he was very small, and for things he had not worked for or had control over. Anyways, this may connect to the son of the woman in the story, or even the woman herself.
Absence of fathers
Fin.
Larger concept: people using religion to justify something that is wrong.
People can create a justification for almost anything.
He could be making a commentary on Christianity. Mary is mom
He might be throwing the nativity story back at us.
