Sherman Alexie’s story “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” is the story of two men, Victor and Thomas, who travel to Phoenix, Arizona and back to claim Victor’s father’s belongings and a savings account of $300 (246). Along with the main part of the story, we are given flashbacks that allow us to see Victor’s and Thomas’s past and allow us to see how their relationship has changed.
Multiple themes are found in this story. One is that the relationships between people on reservations are not what they used to be, or what they should be. This is shown and built throughout the essay in multiple areas of the plot. This theme starts to form at the beginning of the essay when Thomas is first introduced as an outcast who tells stories that nobody listens to. During the flashbacks, we see Victor and Thomas as children, who are really good friends (252). However, as Victor grows older, he begins to do less and less with Thomas. A group of boys and Victor make fun of Thomas, and at one point Victor was drunk and beat Thomas (250). Now they never talk to each other. Toward the end of the essay, Victor is ashamed that he will not be friends with Thomas, and asks himself, “Whatever happened to tribal ties, the sense of community?” (255).
There is symbolism found in this story as well. I think one is found within the title. A Phoenix is a bird that can rise up from the ashes. Just like this bird, Victor will rise up from his personal ashes, problems, and attitude about people and life. Another type of symbolism if found when they reach Victor’s father's house. When he salvages his dad’s home, he is salvaging things like memories such as photo albums. When he does this, he is salvaging his own life in a way.
In this story written by Sherman, he uses themes, symbols, and other literary devices to relay to us the real meaning of the story.
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