This Is What It Means For Say Phoenix, Arizona

From the flashbacks the readers can conclude that Victor and his father didn’t have that close of a relationship. Victor’s character seemed unemotional. Also during his flashbacks, he seemed happy most of the time until Thomas and Victor got into a fight. From then on, Victor seemed to lose his way and connection with the Indian people. Thomas seemed to feel like Victor’s father was his father.

Thomas goes on to change his way of dressing, and even his hairstyle. The old Thomas wore his hair in two braids, and sported suits everyday. The new Thomas wears his hair unraveled so that is it appears to be long and flowing, like the typical “native american”. When they arrive back on the bus the two are bullied by two caucasian men who steal their seats. The two try and get back at the men by singing a song they casually made up in Native American style. When Thomas and Victor finally arrive in Arizona at Arnold’s trailer, they are greeted by his girlfriend. Once inside the home she presents them with Arnold’ s ashes. Victor becomes emotional and is ready to head back to the reservation. As he goes through his father’s belongings, something comes over Victor and he retaliates by cutting his hair. Victor and Thomas portray to be “American” in a sense. The two play sports, have typical family problems, and reference pop culture. However they also portray two indian stereotypes; the warrior and the shaman. Victor represents the warrior, and Thomas the shaman. Victor’s short temper and

Thomas seems to have a gift in his storytelling, they may seem like crazy stories he tells over and over but his stories may carry some kind of meaning. “We are all given one thing by which our lives are measured, one determination. Mine are the stories which can change or not change the world.” (Alexie P. 518) His stories about Victor’s father are why he went out of his way to help Victor. It took Victor a trip to Phoenix to see that Thomas was there for a reason, to help him because they were cousins.

This time may help the character realize either the wrong in their ways or someone who they’ve had conflict with. This may help them learn the true meaning of forgiveness, and letting go of the past, and moving forward. (...” Do we forgive our fathers in our age, or in theirs? Or in their deaths, saying it to them or not saying it. If we forgive our fathers, what is left?”). Victor begins to realize that despite the ups and downs that he and his father had in the past, that his father really did love him. He learns that when his father left, he always intended to return. He didn’t mean to die when he was away. He wanted to see Victor again. This is when Victor really begins to learn forgiveness and to let go of the past.

Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories do not wants to hear. Thomas bring a very interesting flavor to the story. He tells many stories to the people, but most people ignore him, because most of his stories are made up. He sees Victor as a brother. Each time something happen between Thomas and Victor like a fight or an argument, Thomas would go back to him and talk to

Throughout the story Victor replays moments in his mind. Times when he and Thomas were best of friends. Times when he loved listening to Thomas' visions about life and stories with hidden lessons. Times when Thomas was there for him and even a time when Thomas helped to save his life. The good memories turn to visions of Victor turning his back on his best friend. Victor is faced with the reality of his cruel actions and choices. Of how he chose to go with the rest of the 'pack' and attack the 'weak' one. Victor recalls being drunk when he was fifteen and beating up Thomas for the fun of it. How all of the other boys on the reservation just stood and watched and how he may have continued beating Thomas

On the other hand, Thomas Builds-The-Fire symbolizes an embrace of the present and future, as demonstrated by Alexie’s use of oral traditions, costumes, and allegories. For instance, Thomas represents the future through his uplifting storytelling. Thomas, similarly to Victor, experienced trauma in his childhood, but it is made obvious that the two are practically opposites. To cope with the past, Thomas uses oral

Thomas helps Victor by giving him his savings so that victor can go to Phoenix to claim his dead dad’s savings. “ He said I had to watch over you in return of him not telling anyone.” Thomas told Victor that once they were on their way to claim the money in the bank. Victor’s dad told Thomas to watch over victor

Thomas provokes these men into wanting more time and desiring the courage to fight back against the Grim Reaper. The "wise men" and the "wild men," regardless of character, deserves the opportunity to live into old age and accomplish what they set out to do. And the "wise men," who regret the fact that they didn't do the good deeds they were set out to do, and realizing that it was too late for them to do it.

“This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” discusses the physical and mental journey of Victor, a Native American man in the state of Washington, as he goes to Phoenix, Arizona to claim his father’s remains and his savings account. While on this journey, Victor learns about himself, his father, and his Indian culture with the help of his estranged friend, Thomas Builds-the–Fire. The author, Sherman Alexie, plays on the stereotypes of Native Americans through the characters of Victor and Thomas. While Thomas is portrayed as the more traditional and “good” Native American, Victor comes across as the “bad” Native American. Through the use of this binary relationship, Alexie is able to illustrate the transformation of these characters as

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

I think Victor addresses the strong and defeat some portion of the Native Americans since he didn't by and large feel recognized by anyone. Victor is in frustrating fight with who he truly is and where he truly comes from. Victor was extremely enraged towards his dad, yet don't by and large appreciate why he is incensed until the very end. He then fathomed why his dad left him and he could recognize his dad's imperfections and laud his spirit. Thomas was they coordinate backwards of Victor when it came to being courageous, he wasn't extraordinary and he didn't hit a homerun bat for himself. Victor endeavored his best to help Thomas get the chance to be particularly harder also as he may have been, because he required him to get a comparative security and braveness that he had. He was endeavoring to demonstrate to Thomas best practices to be a proper Indian. He said that Indians shouldn't smile continually. After Victor left Arizona with another appreciation of his character. I think Victor started to recognize Thomas logically and could stand up to issues head on without all the internal disillusionment. I similarly think he started to grasp why Thomas relates most of the stories.

Watching fire works, while having fun together and Thomas telling stories of indians. We’re giving a very apparent picture that Thomas is a story teller. That’s what he likes to do as do we have other evidence through the text from Victor’s point of view saying “Nobody talked to Thomas because he told the same damn stories over and over again.” We’re also able to take note moments before of Thomas’s light hearted personality trying to make a joke after finding victor helpless of trying to get to his father’s remains. He apologizes to Victor about his father’s passing.

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

Even though Thomas helped Victor in many ways Thomas is aware they cannot be friends after coming back from Arizona. After their journey Thomas does not expect anything in return. Thomas tells Victor, "I know you ain't going to treat me any better than you did before” (Alexie,1994). “I know your friends would give you too much shit about it” (Alexie,1994). It is also apparent that the author realizes it is not nice to treat people as Others but we still do. Even though Victor