Phoenix Jackson is an elderly Negro woman, who is a former slave and is walking by herself through the countryside to get to town in order to pick up medicine for her sick Grandson, who swallowed a poison. Based on the essay question, Phoenix Jackson is considered a hero because of her endurance and her ability to complete a goal. First, Phoenix Jackson is a hero because her journey to get her grandson is not an easy one. She has to walk about 30 miles in order to reach her destination, and she also walks through thorns and bushes. At one point, the hero, Phoenix Jackson, also descends into darkness by falling into a hole after being attacked a dog. “Over she went in the ditch, like a little puff of milkweed. Down there, her senses drifted away” (50). Phoenix falling into a hole during her journey hindered her hike to the town. A hero’s quest is usually not completed without any complications on the way. Although she is not hurting herself during the fall, it was surely an obstacle. Then, the hunter that …show more content…
Without the medicine for his throat, he could die. “He not get his breath. He not able to help himself. So when the time come around, and I go on another trip for the soothing medicine” (53). Since her grandson could die without this medicine, this trip that Phoenix Jackson is taking is saving his life each time she does it. Also, most heroes save lives, which is one reason why I label her as a hero. Phoenix Jackson is considered a hero for many reasons. She has strong endurance, has had a tough life, and is willing to take a long, crippling journey as long as it saves her grandson’s life. What makes her a hero is that not many people would go as far as Phoenix Jackson does to reach a goal, but she does just that. Therefore, Phoenix Jackson is hero because of her endurance, and her ability to complete a