The Journey
...She is sure to let “…all [the] foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons, and wild animals [to get] out of [her] way” (Welty, 285)! Ms. Jackson being on this journey alone is enough to prove that she is courageous. Phoenix Jackson is a steadfast woman. She approaches three burdens while traveling on a hill. She travels uphill, but to her it “seem like there is chains about [her] feet…” (Welty, 285). She conquers the hill, but she is caught in a thorny bush. Ms. Jackson doesn’t give up, because “her fingers were busy and intent, but her shirts were full and long, so that before she could pull them free in one place they were caught in another.” (Welty, 285) Ms. Jackson persevered the hill and bush, but “now comes the trial…” (Welty, 286). Ms. Jackson had to walk across an old log straddling a creek. “Lifting her skirt, leveling her can fiercely before her, like a festival figure in some parade, she began to march across.” (Welty, 286) When she made it across the log, she surprised herself confirming that “[she] wasn’t as old as [she] though…”! (Welty, 286) Phoenix Jackson is a devoted grandmother. Ms Jackson completes her journey with one thing in mind…her grandson. She travels this tedious journey knowing that “[her and her grandson are] the only two in this world.” (Welty, 290) She knows that to take care of him she must do whatever it takes to get whatever he needs. When she arrives at “…the big building…” (Welty, 288), Ms Jackson forgets why she made her journey. The nurse and the receptionist are astounded that Ms. Jackson made the long trip, and had forgotten wh...