How we cite our quotes: Paragraph
Quote #7
"Nobody know who made this well, for it was here when I was born." (30)
Even though Phoenix is really ancient, there are things in the world older than her. But as she points out in another passage quoted above, she doesn't know anyone who is older than her. Do you think that's a lonely position to be in or an empowering position to be in? Perhaps a little of both?
Quote #8
"I know you old colored people! Wouldn't miss going to town to see Santa Claus!" (45)
This dimwitted comment comes from the hunter. We know the hunter is a bad dude, and here we have an example of his bad dudeness in action. This comment is ageist because it clumps all people of a certain age into one over-generalized grouping. It's also infantilizing. The young and the old do have things in common, but one of those things is not a shared interest in sitting in Santa's lap. While we're at it, we should probably mention this comment is racist to boot.
Quote #9
"I never did go to school—I was too old at the Surrender," she said in a soft voice. "I'm an old woman without an education. It was my memory fail me. My little grandson, he is just the same, and I forgot it in the coming." (87)
Here we have pretty much the only moment in which Phoenix's attitude toward her age is truly defeatist. Age, she says, limited her chance for an education, and it continues to limit her abilities, as evidenced in her loss of memory and inability to maintain her confidence and wits in the city.