Knowledge Builders

what it means to say phoenix arizona short story

by Randi Bergstrom Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” is a short story by Sherman Alexie in which Victor and his friend Thomas drive to Arizona to collect Victor's father's ashes. Victor receives word that his absentee father has died in Arizona.Jun 13, 2022

Full Answer

See more

image

What is the meaning of the story This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona?

PLOT: “This Is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” is about two young Native American men who live on the Spokane Reservation in Washington, U. S. The story is neatly structured around news of Victor's father's death in Arizona and the task of retrieving his ashes, and metaphorically the lost father for Victor, his ...

Who is Thomas in This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona?

Thomas Builds-the-Fire's identity is a storyteller, but inside meaning of storyteller Thomas represents the traditional character who reminisce the past and lost traditions.

In What It Means to Say Phoenix Arizona What is the purpose of the trip that Victor and Thomas take?

The story is about Victor and Thomas who are childhood best friends that went on a trip from their reservation to Phoenix, Arizona to collect Victor father's savings account. Throughout the trip, they experience many flashbacks of when they were friends such as when Victor stepped into a wasp nest.

Why did Sherman Alexie write This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona?

“This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona” by Sherman Alexie represents rebirth and friendship. The story tells of the reawakening for Victor where he finds himself, thanks to Thomas-Builds-the-Fire. Victor comes to peace with himself, where before he was filled wrath.

How did Thomas break his arm as a boy in This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona?

Victor and Thomas climbed into the pickup, drove over to the bank, and claimed the three hundred dollars in the savings account. Thomas Builds-the-Fire could fly. Once, he jumped off the roof of the tribal school and flapped his arms like a crazy eagle.

Introduction

The story “This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” contains various symbolic elements and phrases representing the decline of the Native American culture and the gradual loss of traditions in favor of modernity.

Understanding the Symbolism in the Story

There are 3 primary symbolic elements that should be taken into consideration in order to understand the rebirth analogy that is at the heart of the story, these elements are: the word Phoenix, heat and ashes.

Understanding the Role of Thomas Builds-the-Fire

When examining the story from start to finish it becomes apparent that the life of Victor is in turmoil, he has recently lost his job and his father just died which facilitates the various events and conflicts seen in the story.

Underlying Point in the Story

When examining the relationship between Thomas and Victor in the story as well as its conclusion one cannot help but think of the symbolism between traditional Native American culture and the apparent antagonism it has with the new path that the Native American people are taking.

Introduction

The story “This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” contains various symbolic elements and phrases representing the decline of the Native American culture and the gradual loss of traditions in favor of modernity.

Understanding the Symbolism in the Story

There are 3 primary symbolic elements that should be taken into consideration in order to understand the rebirth analogy that is at the heart of the story, these elements are: the word Phoenix, heat and ashes.

Understanding the Role of Thomas Builds-the-Fire

When examining the story from start to finish it becomes apparent that the life of Victor is in turmoil, he has recently lost his job and his father just died which facilitates the various events and conflicts seen in the story.

Underlying Point in the Story

When examining the relationship between Thomas and Victor in the story as well as its conclusion one cannot help but think of the symbolism between traditional Native American culture and the apparent antagonism it has with the new path that the Native American people are taking.

image

1.This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona - eNotes

Url:https://www.enotes.com/topics/this-what-means-say-phoenix-arizona

35 hours ago The title of this short story is a great example of symbolism because Phoenix is not only a place in Arizona but it also represents a mythological bird that rises from its own ashes and is reborn, making it a symbol of strength and immortality. Because Victor never had a relationship with his father, in a way, he resented him for leaving their family.

2.Videos of What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona Short Story

Url:/videos/search?q=what+it+means+to+say+phoenix+arizona+short+story&qpvt=what+it+means+to+say+phoenix+arizona+short+story&FORM=VDRE

26 hours ago  · “ This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” is a short story by Sherman Alexie in which Victor and his friend Thomas drive to Arizona to collect Victor’s father’s ashes.

3.This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona - eNotes

Url:https://www.enotes.com/topics/this-what-means-say-phoenix-arizona/summary

22 hours ago  · In the short story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix Arizona” written by Sherman Alexie, there is a character named Thomas Builds-the-Fire who is considered an outcast in his community. The story starts out with Victor who you would assume is facing some hard times losing his job and having his father pass away.

4.Short Story This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona

Url:https://www.studymode.com/essays/Short-Story-This-Is-What-It-Means-85859897.html

26 hours ago  · “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” Is A Short Story By Sherman Alexie. ‘it’s strange how us indians celebrate the fourth of july. In the later part of their relationship, victor was a really bad friend to thomas, but thomas has been there for victor so many times throughout their childhood, and even now that they are adults.

5.This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona Critical Essay

Url:https://ivypanda.com/essays/this-is-what-it-means-to-say-phoenix-arizona/

25 hours ago This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona is a short story written by American writer and poet Sherman Alexie and lately the story was turned into a film directed also by Alexie and called Smoke Signals. Mostly, the main themes of Alexies stories and poetry are either the life of Native Americans or the theme of poverty.

6.'This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona'

Url:http://www.hudsonsclass.com/Documents/Freshman/AlexiePhoenix.pdf

6 hours ago  · Introduction. The story “This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” contains various symbolic elements and phrases representing the decline of the Native American culture and the gradual loss of traditions in favor of modernity.

7.This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona Critical Essay

Url:https://literatureessaysamples.com/this-is-what-it-means-to-say-phoenix-arizona-critical-essay/

27 hours ago "This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona" by Sherman Alexie First published in Esquire In 1994 Anthologized in Best American Short Stories of 1994 Adapted with other Alexie stories for the 1998 film Smoke Signals "You know there ain't nobody around with that kind of J ust after Victor lost his job at the BIA, he also found out

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9