Phoenix Jackson draws upon her immense love for her ailing grandson to produce perseverance, resourcefulness and willingness to live that otherwise would never be there. The greatest example of this comes at the end of the story, when Phoenix has reached the doctor's office. At this point Phoenix has been challenged physically, emotionally and physiologically and she is worn out. She is on the brink of collapse when she reaches the doctor's office and the only thought that fills her mind is that she has made it. So, when the attendant in …show more content…
Just Like Phoenix Jackson, Granny is an older woman. This is indicated in the story when Cornelia makes a statement saying, "Don't cross her, let her have her way, she's eighty years old."(Porter, 506). This is also indicated in the beginning when Granny tells Dr. Harry, "That's no way to speak to a woman nearly 80 years old just because she's down. I'd have you respect your elder's young man. Granny's age ties in to her challenge of facing death. The author gives an indication several times that Granny is sick and dying. The flashbacks and chills that the reader states give you a vivid imagination and leads you to believe that Granny is on her death