This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona Conflict Essay
Conflict Within Thyself
Jermaine Kelly
ENG 102 072
Prof. Messina
Essay 1
October 2nd, 2007.
1
Sherman Alexie's story, "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona", states mainly how two Native Americans struggle to adapt to modern times and their culture, and the conflict they endured within their lifetime. The story focuses on two main characters that embark on a cross-country journey to retrieve a dead father's ashes and belongings. Victor, one of the main characters in the story, must come to terms with his personal conflicts when he finds that his father is dead and he must retrieve his personal belongings. With no money and no adequate financial assistance from the Tribal Council to retrieve his father's remains, his one-time friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire, offers him the money he needs to make the trip. On one condition only, he must bring him along for the ride. Once in Phoenix, Victor must confront his conflicted feelings towards his father and one-time friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire, as well as his own identity. Yet, the conflict between Thomas and Victor leads to more substantial struggle, the conflict that Victor possesses within himself. The most apparent conflict in the story is the inter-personal conflict …show more content…
The conflict that one Native American Indian must face on his quest to retrieve his father's bearings. Although not every conflict has an immediate solution, Sherman Alexie does maintain a sense of hopefulness and the possibility of a new beginning. Victor is indeed a man of many conflicts. Victor's self-bitterness partially stems from the deeply embedded conflict that many Native Americans face in this modern day American society. It is merely common in society for people to misplace their anger on someone else; especially someone perceived as weaker. It seems that
Jermaine Kelly
ENG 102 072
Prof. Messina
Essay 1
October 2nd, 2007.
1
Sherman Alexie's story, "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona", states mainly how two Native Americans struggle to adapt to modern times and their culture, and the conflict they endured within their lifetime. The story focuses on two main characters that embark on a cross-country journey to retrieve a dead father's ashes and belongings. Victor, one of the main characters in the story, must come to terms with his personal conflicts when he finds that his father is dead and he must retrieve his personal belongings. With no money and no adequate financial assistance from the Tribal Council to retrieve his father's remains, his one-time friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire, offers him the money he needs to make the trip. On one condition only, he must bring him along for the ride. Once in Phoenix, Victor must confront his conflicted feelings towards his father and one-time friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire, as well as his own identity. Yet, the conflict between Thomas and Victor leads to more substantial struggle, the conflict that Victor possesses within himself. The most apparent conflict in the story is the inter-personal conflict …show more content…
The conflict that one Native American Indian must face on his quest to retrieve his father's bearings. Although not every conflict has an immediate solution, Sherman Alexie does maintain a sense of hopefulness and the possibility of a new beginning. Victor is indeed a man of many conflicts. Victor's self-bitterness partially stems from the deeply embedded conflict that many Native Americans face in this modern day American society. It is merely common in society for people to misplace their anger on someone else; especially someone perceived as weaker. It seems that