1) As one grows older and wiser through experiencing life, struggles challenge you to push for a greater cause and reward you with what means the most to you.

2) Death vs. Life: This minor theme was touched on by the description of the scenery and background characters in the story. While travelling, old Phoenix passed through “quiet fields” and “trees all silver in their dead leaves”, a swamp where moss hung “white as lace from every limb” and tracks that required her to pass through the ruts, implying the road was well worn. The season is winter, symbolizing the end of a lifetime. The younger characters represent life in that they are more attentive and seem oblivious to old Phoenix. She sees the nickel drop from the hunter’s pocket, convinces the nurse to give her a nickel as well, and ignores the receptionist at the clinic as if the young girl wouldn't be able to help Phoenix.

Family legacy: Phoenix endures a difficult journey, regularly, to the city for a medicine for her grandson. It states in the story that she and her grandson are the only two left of the family. Knowing such, she does everything in her power to ensure his happiness and longevity, even if it wears on her well-being. She also talks about buying him a pinwheel with the ten cents she procured on her journey to the hospital. She would hold it out above her toward him and it would be the most magnificent item to him. This reminded me of “passing the torch” as far as family goes. As her life is coming to and end, his is just beginning.

3) Phoenix