This essay illustrate the likeness between two characters in two different stories, written by two different authors. These characters are different in race, age, and even financial status. They are, although, united by the harshness which they've had endured. This has caused their character to be formed into an independent, hallucinogenic character, who are driven by their own unseen force, but still drive a certain kindness out of people.
The journey granny Weatherall is not a physical one. Her journey is one of acceptance that she will eventually die. "Although there are no physical obstacles, granny still has to overcome her own barriers that she has created in her mind."(start.at). She has to come to the realization that there is no getting away from it. She begins with her still thinking that she can do everything for herself and does not need the assistance of her family. At this point she still thins that she is coherent and that the doctor is not doing anything productive and is too young to know anything. This is apparent when she says "Get along now, get your schoolbooks and go." Granny later on continues to gradually accept her fate when she starts talking to George about how she made her life better since he jilted her. " This part of the story focuses on granny Weatherall's transition from happiness to hopeless, then back again to happiness when she finally marries and has children. It foreshadows what will occur later on when she tries to find God"(cddc). At the end when she accepts that she is going to die she tries to find her savior but, when he fails to make himself present to her, granny's strong character once again takes over and she herself blows out her candle.
Phoenix Jackson's journey is the long and physical trail that she must walk in order to get her grandson's medicine. Just like granny Weatherall, phoenix's journey is meant to show us her character and how persistent it really can be.