Professor Frank
English 112
September 28, 2012
“That Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” In short story Sherman Alexie. “That is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona, he creates three main characters, Victor, Victor’s father, and Thomas who have three different personalities. However, Thomas seems one of the most interesting characters in this short story. The author presents Thomas as a person who has not been affected negative by the hardship and struggles of modern day Native American. He is funny and traditional person; and has the kind of personality. Thomas represents a funny and traditional person: and has kind of personality through what he says. As Thomas greets Victor at the tribal trading post and expresses condolences for his loss, Victor asks how Thomas learned of Victor’s father passing. Thomas says: “I heard it on the wind. I heard it from the birds. I felt it in the sunlight. Also your mother was just in here crying (130)”. When Victor has difficult finance, Thomas volunteers to help contribute some money for fly to Arizona. Thomas says: “I can lend you the money you need (130)”. Also, Thomas volunteers to help contribute some money to fly to Phoenix Arizona. Thomas says: “I can lend you the money you need (130)”. Moreover, Thomas lives with his story in the past, and his words when he says are very pure and simple which do not hurt anyone. He says: “take care of each other is what my dreams were saying take care of each other”. When he remembers Victor’s father found him at the fall and treated him a good breakfast. When they come back from Phoenix, Victor makes a promise that he will pay all back and want to thank Thomas for help, but Thomas just says: “Don’t worry about the money”, “It doesn’t make any difference anyhow”. In addition, Thomas does not want to lose Victor who is only his friend when they were young. After helping Victor, Thomas does not require anything, but just ask Victor one thing that “just one time