Responding to Question #3: Discuss the way the characterization of Phoenix contributes to the theme.
" 'I bound to go to town, mister,' said Phoenix. 'The time come around.' " (Page 227)
A central theme is Welty's story is one of consistency and the inability to move on from the events of one's life. Phoenix is characterized as an old woman who is still capable of walking a long distance every so often even though she is nearing the end of this ability. She is also extremely stubborn as well as respected. The other characters in the story all call her Grandma even though she is not their grandmother. This is a sign of respect to her in her advanced age. Another theme in the story is that we never know exactly what is going on in someone's life, and Phoenix embodies that. She is a consistent woman who the doctor knows but can never fully understand. All the people in the story wish to help her despite their lack of knowledge about her, and that contributes to the theme of helpfulness in this story.
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