This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona
Although it seems as though he likes Thomas by the end of the story, Victor in fact still harbors certain feelings of dislike and contempt towards Thomas. Almost at the finish of the story “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”, Sherman Alexie portrays Victor as being kind and friendly to Thomas. Victor feels the urge that he owes something to Thomas and ends up offering to Mr. Builds-the-Fire the precious ash remains of his recently deceased father. As kind as he was to do that, Victor immediately afterwards talks to Thomas in an underlying mean way. Thomas graciously turns down Victor’s offer, and in the process relates a simile comparing Victor’s father to a salmon. Although throughout the story Victor seems appreciative of Thomas’
imagery, he ends up rejecting Thomas’ eloquently spoken simile. “Victor said. ‘But I didn’t imagine my father looking anything like a salmon.’” (75). After the reader has been informed that Victor takes Thomas’ foreseeing power and visions both incredulously and seriously, his reply to Thomas’ simile reveals his true hidden feelings. Victor can be heard speaking those words in a snide manner. The use of the word “but” (75) gives Victor’s line a seemingly dismissive and scornful manner. Victor attempts to show the reader that Thomas is crazy by stating that he himself could not see his father as a fish. The ridiculous nature of his reaction to Thomas’ simile exposes Victor’s previously hidden feelings of derision towards Mr. Builds-the-Fire. This idea is further reinforced when Thomas requests Victor to pause and listen when Thomas is telling a story. Instead of replying with enthusiasm and happiness as a friend would if he was asked of a small favor, Victor answers with a question: “’Just once?’” (75). The question reveals that Victor is tired of Thomas already and reluctantly agrees. The reluctance joined with the weariness of Thomas leads to the reader concluding that although Victor seems to treat Thomas with kindness and friendliness, he is in fact ready to be rid of the odd kid living on the reservation.
imagery, he ends up rejecting Thomas’ eloquently spoken simile. “Victor said. ‘But I didn’t imagine my father looking anything like a salmon.’” (75). After the reader has been informed that Victor takes Thomas’ foreseeing power and visions both incredulously and seriously, his reply to Thomas’ simile reveals his true hidden feelings. Victor can be heard speaking those words in a snide manner. The use of the word “but” (75) gives Victor’s line a seemingly dismissive and scornful manner. Victor attempts to show the reader that Thomas is crazy by stating that he himself could not see his father as a fish. The ridiculous nature of his reaction to Thomas’ simile exposes Victor’s previously hidden feelings of derision towards Mr. Builds-the-Fire. This idea is further reinforced when Thomas requests Victor to pause and listen when Thomas is telling a story. Instead of replying with enthusiasm and happiness as a friend would if he was asked of a small favor, Victor answers with a question: “’Just once?’” (75). The question reveals that Victor is tired of Thomas already and reluctantly agrees. The reluctance joined with the weariness of Thomas leads to the reader concluding that although Victor seems to treat Thomas with kindness and friendliness, he is in fact ready to be rid of the odd kid living on the reservation.