There are numerous references to race throughout the story; Mary Ellen Byrne noted that the Caucasian characters' use of the terms grandmother and grandmother in Welty's story was a form of derogation. However, the narrator's "frequent mention of his name restores his status." During the encounter with the white hunter in the woods, the white man's playfulness could be described as demonstrating his race's dominance over this older black woman. The hunter raises his weapons and points them at Phoenix in an act of dominance, but she doesn't back down. "This gun doesn't scare you?" She stood up and faced him without showing fear. (Welty 94) Normally if someone presents a gun a normal reaction might be to cower or perhaps fear. During this time in Mississippi, the reader assumes that a black woman in the presence of a dominant white man can do the same. However Phoenix stands tall. The use of these strong metaphors portrays stronger meanings than just a trip to the city. Create depth to the story. Robert Phillips wrote that Welty adds narrative references that “The protagonist. Phoenix isn't aware of the parallels, but the reader is, and this awareness adds another dimension to the story.” (Philip