In what way does Phoenix’s journey mirror life itself?

The path of life is simply a hard one. Phoenix is one of the most tenacious and committed characters in Welty's oeuvre, if not American fiction. This isn't even the only instance in which she has made this journey and it does not get any easier; in fact, with every passing day it gets harder. She never considers turning around and going back and she does not indicate any glimmer of feeling sorry for herself for having to do it. The people she encounters have very little idea about what she's gone through to get here, or, if they do, how their behavior towards her might minimize her heroism or exacerbate her troubles.