The name Phoenix is significant because a phoenix is a mythical bird that is born out of fire and rises from the ash. Phoenix Jackson is an old black woman that began her life during a time of slavery and lived through the Surrender. She is extremely poor, but she is free. She has in a sense, been reborn from the ashes of the civil war and rebuilt her life. When she meets the hunter, a few things happen that are significant. He helps her out of the ditch and chases the dog away that made her fall. However, he points the gun in her face and asks her if she is afraid. This to me seems like even though he respects the strength and determination she is showing by walking all the way to town, he does not respect her. He wants to make sure
