Skip to main content

What is the meaning of the dialogue between Phoenix and the hunter?

Initially, the hunter helps Phoenix get to her feet. She is much older, so it is not that inappropriate to call her "Granny," but given his subsequent behavior, this moniker is intended with some condescension.


On her way to town, she talks with the animals and the trees as if they were old friends. The hunter stands there with a dead bird in his bag. This shows a significant difference in their personalities. He prides...

Initially, the hunter helps Phoenix get to her feet. She is much older, so it is not that inappropriate to call her "Granny," but given his subsequent behavior, this moniker is intended with some condescension.


On her way to town, she talks with the animals and the trees as if they were old friends. The hunter stands there with a dead bird in his bag. This shows a significant difference in their personalities. He prides himself on being aggressive and a predator. She prides herself on being helpful. This is shown by her determination to help her grandson. When she shows her determination to make the trip to town, in spite of the hunter's protests, he condescendingly says she (a "colored" woman) must be going to see Santa Claus. He treats her like a child.


The hunter drops a nickel and she quietly picks it up without him noticing. She feels a bit guilty, noting that God saw her take it. But then the hunter comes back and points his gun at her. This is a pointless and cowardly attempt at intimidating an old woman. Phoenix, brave as she has proven herself to be, simply stares him down. The hunter leaves and Phoenix continues on her journey.


Although this is a seemingly short and innocuous encounter, Phoenix shows courage and determination. She even shows some cunning when she takes the rude hunter's nickel. One could also argue that this encounter is symbolic of race relations in the south at this time. The hunter automatically takes the superior position. He shows little reverence for Phoenix despite the fact that she must look one hundred years old to him. This is what we might call "white privilege." That is, the hunter automatically thinks he can treat Phoenix any way he likes because he is white and she is black.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more