In analyzing these two works, there is the initial most obvious difference, which is the choice of literary form. ... She presents her readers with the character, Phoenix Jackson, and through this character, she displays the example of what that passion and perseverance looks like walked out in life. ... Similarly, Welty's work "is most intriguing in terms of its ability to defy simple explanation" (Saunders, 1992, p. 62). ... Welty's choice in naming her protagonist is meaningful in light of the denotation of the phoenix in mythical terms, understanding that "onl...

• Word Count: 2554
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The first publication of the short story "Cathedral" was in the March, 1981, issue of Atlantic Monthly. It was selected to appear in "The Best American Short Stories, 1982," and became the title story in the 1983 collection, Cathedral. This volume was very well-received by critics and readers alike, receiving nominations for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Many critics note a shift in Carver's work between the publication of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love and Cathedral, and many believe that Carver reached the zenith of his career with this co...

• Word Count: 11148
• Approx Pages: 45
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School