When Phoenix sets out on her voyage early in the morning, she is surrounded by pine trees that seem to overcome her. She shows her determination as she struggles along the trail. She walks side to side in a manner that would suggest quickness in her step, maybe a little quicker than she would normally be maintaining. She needs to return home before the sun goes down with the medicine for her little grandson. Phoenix knows the trail very well and walks with confidence, not even looking at wh

As Phoenix approaches the creek, she says, “Now comes the trial” (217), and it becomes obvious that her character changes to that of a child. She takes a large first step raising her knee high, walking onto the log resembling a child marching, while holding the small cane straight out, as if to point the direction as other children follow her. This image of Phoenix is one a person would most likely associate with children. As she crosses the creek, she sits down to rest and finds herself hallucinating. The image of a child comes before her, most likely being an image of her grandson. When the child is handing her the piece of cake, she speaks to him and says, “That would be acceptable,”(217) acknowledging the child and showing her maturity. After taking a swipe at the piece of cake, she gathers herself and continues down the path.

ere her feet are landing. Along the way she stops to warn the foxes and other small animals to stay out of her way saying, “Out of my way, all you foxes, ow

Some topics in this essay:
Phoenix Jackson, Eudora Welty, , doctor's office phoenix, character changes, office phoenix, doctor's office, sitting doctor's office, crosses creek, piece cake, pine trees, phoenix jackson, sitting doctor's, change attitude, trail walks,