through use of diction. The characteristics of her personality are also depicted mainly through the reader’s experience of her actions, words, thoughts, and interactions with the other characters. This is the main reason that the other characters are a necessity. The hunter tries to persuade Phoenix to go home. He represents those in life who try to stand in the way and discourage people from fulfilling their goals. But she tells him, “I bound to go to town, Mister…the time come around.” This clearly shows the reader that she has no intention of giving up, and that she will face up to the challenges of what she has to accomplish. The hunter helps to build the image of Phoenix by showing her fearlessness. Another character that is used to develop Phoenix’s personality is the white woman in town who she asks to tie her shoe. Phoenix has the courage to ask this woman (a white woman no less) a favor. This instance is meant to show her bravery and her pride. She thinks of herself as worthy of this stranger’s time and attention, and is not afraid to ask.The nurse is the last of the characters to make an appearance in the story. It is through the nurse that the reason for her journey is explained, and it is through this character that Phoenix receives the medicine, which is the significance to her journey. The reader is then able to interpret the medicine as the goal in life that one needs to struggle for. Therefore, in waiting to reveal the purpose of her journey, Welty successfully delivers her message of need for spirit, courage, and determination in life to be able to achieve goals that are set....
