Phoenix is
described as being "very old and small and she walked slowly." Everything about this
description suggests a very weak person. However, she manages to overcome any obstacle that
comes her way. She is meek but resourceful. She manages to steal a nickel from the hunter. She
seems weak but she is courageous. She stares down the barrel of the hunter's gun showing that
she is unafraid. When she is presented with a problem, she finds a solution. The thorn catches
her dress and she is able to free herself. She falls down and, somehow, she doesn't break any
bones. She needs her shoe tied and is able to get help from a woman in town. In the end, she
retrieves the medicine. In summary, she succeeds time and again. In terms of making this
journey, she has proven to be unstoppable, even though she is a frail, old woman.
A journey is a classic narrative structure for a hero. Notable heroes that employ this
literary element are Odysseus in The Odyssey, Bilbo Baggins
in The Hobbit, and Aeneas in The Aeneid. Phoenix makes
a journey as well and that journey forms "a worn path." The gesture (the fact that she
is seeking medication for her grandson) is generous and heroic as well. So, her perseverance is
heroic but the meaning behind her efforts (caring for her grandson) is admirable as
well.
Phoenix also never claims to be heroic. The only compliment she gives
herself is "I wasn't as old as I thought." She doesn't consider herself to be a hero.
She simply does what needs to be done. Therefore, she is not conscious of the notion that her
efforts are heroic. This humility actually makes her seem even more
heroic.
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