In Sylvia Townsend Warner’s The Phoenix, The Phoenix acts as a pivotal figure throughout the story. However, The Phoenix serves as more than just a mere character, but also as an allegorical symbol. It is evident throughout the piece that Warner utilized The Phoenix to symbolize man’s desecration of the natural world in his quest for monetary gain. “It was a remarkably fine phoenix, with a charming character” (Warner 3). Warner begins her piece with vivid descriptions of the majestic sanctity of The Phoenix. As a figure of nature in itself, Warner’s descriptions of The Phoenix act as parallels to the purity of the natural world. “For quite a while Mr. Poldero considered his phoenix a bargain.” (4). Warner’s introduction of Mr. Poldero allows
