In the
story, Phoenix Jackson meets a young white hunter on her way to town. When the hunter asks
Phoenix where she is going, she tells him that she is going to town. Upon hearing her answer,
the hunter exclaims that the way to town is too far for an old woman like her. He then advises
her to head for home.
For her part, Phoenix doesn't reveal exactly why she is
going to town. She merely satisfies his curiosity with a general answer: "The time come
around." From her answer, the hunter speculates that she is going to town to see Santa
Claus. He assumes that she must be like other "old colored people" who make the
journey to town for this purpose. Essentially, Phoenix Jackson provides no concrete details
about her reason for going to town. She merely explains that she goes to town because she
must.
We know how much Phoenix Jackson loves her grandson by her willingness
to endure a long, arduous journey for his sake. Additionally, old Phoenix makes the journey
regularly. During each trip, she must brave varied dangers. Her exchange with the white hunter
reveals the low status of African Americans in her society.
When the hunter
points his gun at Phoenix and asks her whether she is afraid of it, she remains calm; her reply
is a simple "No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I
done." Phoenix knows that her safety is not promised in such a society; yet, she makes the
journey because she loves her grandson.
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