Eudora Wetly wrote a short story about an old Negro woman who came up in the days of the Civil War. The old Negro woman's name is Phoenix Jackson and she lives out on the Natchez Trace. This is around the time of slavery and blacks were still being treated badly. Phoenix was depicted as an impoverished woman who was uneducated and senile. There are some indications in the story that she was uneducated and that her mind would wander. There are also indications that she is very intelligent and that she has a very clear mind. This is a story of how a woman was driven by love and determination to continue a journey that she has made time and time again. She is a woman who is noble and has a name that carries great power and respect. Her whole life carries meaning.
             Phoenix is a strong level minded woman if you pay attention to the story closely. She is painted as an old woman who is senile or is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She is getting up there in age and yes she may be a little senile, but it is clear that the journey takes place. It doesn't just take place in her head, she really makes these journeys over time. She makes reference to herself not being educated but she uses words like please, and thank you to show how dignified she is. She also has a level of respect about her. When she runs into the young hunter in the woods, he treats her negatively and yet she stands her ground. He puts the gun in her face and yet she was without fear. Welty stated that the hunter said, "Well, Granny,"he said, "you must be a hundred years old, and scared of nothing."(Welty 441) He lied to Phoenix when 2
             he said that he would give her a dime if he had it, and just a short time before that, a nickel fell out of his pocket. Phoenix may be old and fr...