How we cite our quotes: Paragraph
Quote #7
"Throat never heals, does it?" said the nurse speaking in a loud, sure voice to Old Phoenix […] "Yes. Swallowed lye. When was it?—January—two—three years ago—" (88)
These journeys Phoenix makes have not cured her grandson and probably never will. But just as Phoenix doesn't care about what the hunter has to say, she doesn't care about what the nurse has to say. In the nurse's view, Phoenix's efforts are ineffective and therefore pointless, but in Phoenix's view, giving up is out of the question.
Quote #8
"No, missy, he not dead, he just the same. Every little while his throat begin to close up again, and he not able swallow. He not get his breath. He not able to help himself. So the time come around, and I go on another trip for the soothing-medicine." (89)
Aha—an explanation of Phoenix's motivation at last. So what if her grandson's illness has persisted for years? And so what if it continues to do so for many years to come? If there is anything Phoenix can do to ease his pain, she will do it.