Characterization of Pheonix Jackson Essay

Eudora Welty, in her character capital of Arizona Jackson, creates military mans counterpart of the phoenix cardinal grosbeak from oriental tradition. Although genus Phoenix Jackson can not bewilder claim to the immortality manifested by consuming fiery rebirths (as does the mythological bird), she possesses a fiery spirit and is consumed by deal for her grandchild. Ana4rzing the character of Phoenix is pleasurable because the characteristics of her roundness are primarily positive, static traits. She is tenacious, confident, wise, and resolute with a work discover sense of purpose which guides her fearlessly toward her goal. One word can summarize Phoenixnoble. Even in the one situation when the indorser sees Phoenix being sly, her slyness is immediately forgivable. Her slyness is a youngster negative characteristic in comparison to her innumerable positive ones and is not a conflicting quality. It is, instead, excusable in light of the pureness of her motivationlove.Ihe s imilarities of the phoenix bird and Phoenix Jackson are pronto apparent in the authors physical description of Phoenix her head tied in a loss rag, a golden color ran underneath, and a yellow burning under the unconsolable(457). Further confirming the parable between the woman and the bird is the cornme made by Phoenix at the spring, Sweetgum makes the water sweet (459). (Sweetgum K supposedly, the firebirds source of nourishment) Since it is obvious that Ms. Welty has made these comparisons, it is famed that the phoenix, in addition to symbolizing immortality, is said to be a good and wonderful bird, possessing qualities not distant the eagles nobility and powers of endurance. Phoenix Jackson shares these same qualities.Phoenix Jackson is an old pitch blackness woman (456). Being black and female in Natchez, Nfississippi, any time prior to 1963 was particularly treacherous. Since Phoenix refers to the Surrender, the reader knows that she lived during and after the Civil War. T his fact confirms that society afforded her circumstantial respect. Indeed, the majority ofwhite people would have considered her little more than an animal. However, an investigation of Phoeribes interaction with other (obviously white) characters in the story proves that her noble character commands respect contempt her age, race, and sex.For example, when the hunter points his gun at her, Phoenix responds by standing firm and facing him uncoiled on. The hunters respect is evident in this comment, Well, Granny, you must be a hundred geezerhood old and scared of nothing (460). Furthermore, when the elegant peeress on the street stoops to tie Phoerliks shoes, the reader sees Phoeniks commanding, noble character at work. In fact, it would appear that out of a clustering of people, Phoenix actually chooses this one particular woman to lace up her shoesShe paused quietly on the sidewalk where people were passing by. A lady came along in the crowd, carrying an armful ofpresents sh e gave off perfume like the red roses in hot summer, and Phoenix stopped her (460).Tradition says the phoenix bird has an affinity for frankincense, aromatic gums, and spices. It is as well as worthwhile to note that the nice lady, as well as the hunter, initially responds to Phoenix In a negative, perhaps derogatory, way by calling her Granny or Grandma. But in the final analysis, the lady is (at least momentarily) at Phoenix7s feet, and the hunter voices his admiration. Phoenixs physical stature stands in sharp ancestry to the enormity of her journey. Welty establishes in the first paragraph that Phoenix is very old and small. Me fact that her walkway could be aided and sustained by a thin, small cane made from an umbrella provides the reader with a graphic Illustration of her diminutive size.Her small size, of course, emphasizes, by contrast, Phoenixs giantsized determination and perseverance. do of old age, particularly poor eyesight, intensifies Phoenixs dangerous trek. Whe n the path runs up a hill, Phoenix says, Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far (457). low-down vision is indicated throughout the story, for example, Old eyes thought you was a pretty little green bush (457). However, one uncanny incident occurs regarding PhoenbCs eyesight. She sees with her own eyes a flashing nickel fall out of the mans pocket onto the ground (459). This episode supports the parallel drawn between Phoenix and the firebirdshe exercises birdlike vision. Perhaps she has long contemplated what she would do if she had a nickel or a dime.