Smoke Signals Themes

In the short story, Victor tells Thomas “Just one time when I’m telling a story somewhere, why don’t you stop and listen?” Victor then replies to Thomas and says “just once?” In the screenplay version, after Victor dropped off Thomas, Thomas asked Victor “Do you know why your dad really left?” Victor replies to him “Yeah, and he didn’t mean to Thomas.” (citation)These two are obviously very different phrases that Thomas asks Victor, and it was interesting to hear the two because it makes you wonder what the author wanted us to think about the two becoming closer at the end of the movie and also the short

Alexie Sherman uses a narrative point of view in his short story "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” . Clearly identifiable as the narrator, Sherman uses third-person limited narration to tell the story. Although Sherman can observe all his characters, the knowledge that he shares with readers is limited or confined to the inner thoughts, opinions, and perspectives of the main character Victor. Through this technique, the reader learns about the life and personality of Victor through his own words; his past and current interactions and reminiscences; and, his observations of others.

The movie Smoke Signals is based on Native American reservation. It follows the story of Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, two young men who travel to Phoenix, Arizona to collect the remains of Victor’s father that recently pasted from a heart attack. The movie addresses issues such as alcoholism, behavior, personality, and lifestyles. The use of alcohol is addressed in many ways throughout the movie.

His need for tradition can be felt in the words he utters. Throughout the story at many points Thomas feels alone and abandoned by his own people and past friends. For

Victors father Arnold felt guilty because he accidently started the fire, and he later became a violent alcoholic towards Victor and his mother, which led to him moving away. Victor is seen as fire because he is angry and lost over his father leaving his at a young age. Thomas is the ashes

Sherman J. Alexie, is a short story written in the first person focusing on two Native American Men who grew up together on a Reservation for Native Americans but have been estranged from each other since they were teenagers. Victor who is the narrator of this story is a young man who lost faith in his culture and its traditions, while Thomas our second main character is a deeply rooted traditional storyteller. In the beginning of the story Victor, our Native American narrator learns the death of his father. Jobless and penniless, his only wish is to go to Phoenix, Arizona and bring back his father’s ashes and belongings to the reservation in Spokane. The death of Victor’s father leads him and Thomas to a journey filled with childhood

Sherman Alexie uses a narrative point of view in his short story This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona. Sherman is a third-person limited narrator who narrates the story. This technique allows the characters of Victor and Thomas to reveal their personal thoughts with each other through conversations. The reader learns about Victor and Thomas Builds-the Fire through their words; past and current interactions; and, outsider reactions. In the short story the narrator reveals more about Victor because we are able to see his thoughts. The author builds a tapestry of stories in between the plot where the reader gets to learn about Victor’s and Thomas’ relationship. The narrator tells the story with only Victor's feelings. The audience learns

The movie Smoke Signals is based on the series of short stories written by Sherman Alexie. Just like any movie, there is a meaning to it. Before this movie, when I thought of the phrase "Native American" I thought of things like feathers and societies that were impeccable. But after watching the movie, Smoke Signals, it portrays what being a Native American really means. It is not all fun and games. The protagonist, Victor Joseph, has many hard aspects of his life, but throughout it all he grows mentally. His personality in the beginning of the movie is mean and despicable, he is filled with wrath, but as the movie goes on his personality grows gradually. By the ending of the movie, he was a nicer and kinder.

On their way back, they get into an accident and there was a lady who needed help in the accident. Victor remembers what Suzy said him about his dad that in the fire that took place when he was a baby, his dad always wanted to help him and he did went back to save his life. This hits on his mind and he decides to get help for the lady. His thoughts about his dad changes. At the end of the movie Victor disperses the remains of his father in the river and forgives him for what he did before.

“This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”: The Road to a New Beginning

The Fettered Flame is a genre-bending fantasy novel that continues the saga of two dying worlds, plagued by their own unique struggles for power. Follow the journeys of Cor - a woman striving to understand her powers of magic and how the connect to her past, Atesh - her contemplative dragon companion, and Jwala - a dragon plunged into a rebirth of ancient ideals. The Fettered Flame is the second installment in the Shkode trilogy: a quirky and modern take on dragons and wizards, exploring themes of identity, prejudice, violence, compassion, and the ways we are all

Thomas knew he needed to be a runner it was an instinct of his or even a memory that he doesn't remember.This is the beginning of the end as he starts to understand his role in the society.

During this very emotional scene Thomas describes Arnold as a salmon in the stream, while also talking about forgiving our fathers. During his narration of this scene we get to explore another side to Thomas, a more serious side. In earlier scenes humor and music were used to bring out the humor in Thomas’ character, and dramatic elements in his story. However with this final scene we get to see Thomas as a dynamic character that can show a range of emotion. The use of music in helps to make it more suspenseful, especially when Victors is dumping his ashes off the bridge. This scene helps to bring closure to both Thomas and Victor in regards to Arnold’s death, and also helps to solidify the importance of Thomas’ character in the

The book “This Is What It Mean to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie illustrate friendship and care with both friends then she goes deep into Native American belief and culture. The way she show it in the book is Thomas show that he still cared for Victor though of what his father was going through in life and still wanted to keep a stronger friendship bond. The relationship between Thomas Builds-the Fire and Victor is intriguing. The trait that Thomas has of constantly story-telling is how history is passed on in many cultures, especially in the Native American culture. Even though their relationship changed over the years, he is still the one that Victor takes with him to Phoenix. I think the fact that Thomas had the money to go was

Thomas approaches Victor and offers his condolences. He tells Victor that he has money to lend him so he can make it to Phoenix. The only condition is that Victor must take Thomas with him. Victor tells Thomas that he can't accept his money and that they aren't even friends. Thomas replies “I didn't say we were friends. I said you had to take me with you.” (249). Victor says he'll think about it and goes home. When he arrives home, he is flooded with memories. After heavy consideration, Victor knows the only way he'll be able to claim his father's remains is to borrow the money from Thomas. He agrees to take Thomas along for the trip and the two men catch a plane to Phoenix, Arizona.