This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona Summary

In a Bill Moyer’s interview “Sherman Alexie on Living Outside Borders”, Moyer’s interviews Native American author and poet Sherman Alexie. In the Moyer’s and Company interview, Alexie shares his story about the struggles that he endured during his time on a Native American reservation located at Wellpinit, Washington. During the interview, Alexie goes in-depth about his conflicts that plagued the reservation. In an award-winning book by Sherman Alexie called “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”, Alexie writes semi-autobiography that reveals his harsh life on the reservation through a fictional character named Arnold Spirit Junior. In Alexie’s semi-autobiography, Alexie shares his struggles of a poor and alcoholic family, the

The character Thomas from “ This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona.” is keeping his word by watching over Victor when he most needs it. Thomas is a guy no one really likes and talk to because he is always telling random stories, people see him as a crazy person. In reality Thomas is very humble, because after Victor beating him up for no reason one day, Thomas still decided to help Victor when he was most in need of it.

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.

There are many scenes throughout the film that display Thomas’s need to be friends and heard by Victor. The scene in the market where Thomas offers to pay to get Victor to go to his dad in Phoenix, as long as he can come along is a great example. Both boys were raised together and both without a solid father figure. We learn that Victors father left when he was still a young boy due to alcohol and the fire being a prominent struggle in the native culture. After the scene where Victors father leaves, we see how the possible struggle between the boys began. We learn that Victor’s father had died and they traveled to get his ashes. Perhaps this a reason why Thomas is incessantly bringing up Victor’s dad and telling stories, true or not. is the

Sherman Alexie’s interconnected stories describes the life of Native Americans living on the spokane indian reservation. He attempts to display the natives relationships,history and desires but does otherwise.Instead many can conclude that his contemporary stories portray self deprivation,isolation from society and no

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

     Early in the book, Victor is portrayed as somewhat of a bully, and he and Junior are even referred to as, "two of the most accomplished bullies of recent Native American history." (page 13) Victor's closest and most meaningful relationship in the book is his friendship with Junior. It's unclear why Junior

What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" is a short story by the author Sherman Alexie that explores the theme of cultural identity and heritage through the elements of characters, setting, metaphor, and irony. The story follows two main characters, Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who are Native American men. They embark on a journey to retrieve Victor's father's ashes from Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout the narrative, the characters, setting, irony, and symbolism work together to support the theme of reconciliation with one's past and heritage.

Alexie showed through the use of flashbacks throughout the story that people can change their perspectives on other people. For victor since he and his dad never had a relationship all he had was Thomas to rely on to tell stories about his dad and their relationship. As they were going home Thomas was driving and hit something so victor decided to take the wheel but this wasn’t just for driving. Victor took his life in his hands now instead of moping around being sad and depressed about his dad leaving him and his mom in the

Thomas on the other hand was ok with knowing Victor would not talk to him again after their trip to Phoenix. “I know you ain’t going to treat me any better than you did before. I know your friends would give you too much shit about it.” (Alexie P. 518) He asked of Victor one favor only, he said, “Just one time when I’m telling a story somewhere, why don’t you stop and listen? Just once!” (Alexie P. 519)

As Victors brother was killed by the creature he created, the remourse victor and his father have towards his death show weakness. Men in society are conditioned to be brought up as brave and protective. While Victors father is letting the death of

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

Even though she said so many good things about his father and about things he was afraid of, Victor did not want to show any compassion for his father. It is like the story on Real Boys, Inside the World of Boys: Behind the Mask of Masculinity. Victor was hiding behind this mask so he would not show his emotions. However, after the accident, he began to think about his father. He understood that no one could be perfect and he finally saw that he really loved his father.

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

“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