Who is the bird Fenix and why does Granger talk about it?

Later, the men cook some bacon for breakfast, during which Granger compares society to the mythical phoenix. Every so often, the phoenix would burn itself to death only to spring to life again, born anew from the ashes. He hopes that eventually, man will learn the lessons of history and stop destroying his society. The novel closes with the men setting off toward the city to begin the city's rebirth.