o It is symbolic how Welty perceives every action of the story with such simplicity and straightforwardness—this creates a sense of real-life events that parallel how people act so purely, not for a specific purpose, but rather out of habit and good-nature (even though her grandson is dead she continues to make the journey back and forth because she seeks hope)
o Also racial inequality is seen through many ways such as characters calling Phoenix Jackson “Granny”
o Incorporated the hunter as a character in order to contrast Phoenix with the rest of the world (Phoenix was journeying along to help and save somebody, while hunter is out to kill)
o It is ambiguous whether or not Phoenix’s grandson is alive or not
o She chooses to write in this fashion to show that it does not matter whether he is alive or dead; what matters is the act of kindness she performs almost ritually, regardless of circumstances
o Nickname “Charity” - giving of medicine by nurse is done with a sense of duty, whereas purchasing of gift by Phoenix is out of noble love
o Also racial inequality is seen through many ways such as characters calling Phoenix Jackson “Granny”
o Incorporated the hunter as a character in order to contrast Phoenix with the rest of the world (Phoenix was journeying along to help and save somebody, while hunter is out to kill)
o It is ambiguous whether or not Phoenix’s grandson is alive or not
o She chooses to write in this fashion to show that it does not matter whether he is alive or dead; what matters is the act of kindness she performs almost ritually, regardless of circumstances
o Nickname “Charity” - giving of medicine by nurse is done with a sense of duty, whereas purchasing of gift by Phoenix is out of noble love