Phoenix Jackson is determined to get to town for her grandson's medicine even though it "[s]eems like there [are] chains about my feet" (271).
Phoenix Jackson does not only metaphorically represent the Phoenix, but she resembles it in her appearance as well. She is described in relations to red and gold colors, the colors of the phoenix. "Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles.but a golden color ran underneath, and the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark. Under the red rag her hair came down on her neck.still black, and with an odor like copper" (271). After her long trek to the hospital, Phoenix is unable to talk to anyone, such as the attendant who persistently asks her questions. Finally, "there was a flicker and then a flame of comprehension across her face, and she spoke" (274). This abrupt recovery from her state of oblivion echoes the rebirth of the phoenix. In this story, the symbol of the phoenix represents strength and hope, as opposed to the symbol of the canary in "A Jury of Her Peers." The bird is delicate and small, carefree and beautiful, just as Minnie was before her relationship with John. "She was kind of like a bird herself. Real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and-fluttery. How-she-did-change" (179). There is strong evidence of emotional abuse in this story. Over the years John took away everything Minnie was, she was no longer sweet and pretty. Instead she was wounded and unappealing, having been beaten down day after day; the bird would have given her joy. The last thing John did before he died was "wr[i]ng its neck" (180). Mrs. Hale suggests "Wright wouldn't like the bird, a thing that sang. He killed that too" (181).
John Wright isolated his wife from other people who could have offered support; he "was close!" (p 176), meaning he was frugal.