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
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Tribal Ties Sherman Alexies short story “This is what it means to say Phoenix‚ Arizona” tells a story about Victor‚ a broken‚ lonely young Indian man‚ who is shaped by the circumstances of the reservation. He not only finds out that he lost his job but also that his father has passed away due to a heart attack. These series of unfortunate events lead Victor his childhood friend Thomas Build-the-Fire to embark on a journey to Arizona to obtain Victor’s father’s ashes. Although the two former friends
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enthralling short story by Sherman Alexie‚ "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona" is rich in symbolism. Much of its appeal lies in its enigmatic usage of symbols. Sherman’s tale of death and renewal relies on three key symbols: the Phoenix (a type of mythical bird which is found in the title)‚ the number seven‚ and in the name of the protagonist’s story-telling friend‚ Thomas Builds-the-Fire. First‚ the title contains a reference to the phoenix‚ a mythical bird that‚ according to Native
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character Victor from Sherman Alexie “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix‚ Arizona‚” is going through trying to get his father’s remains with another character named Thomas. In this story ‘This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona” victor is very dedicated to getting his father’s ashes because he wants to have something to remember his father as. Victor is determined to get his father’s ashes and he want’s to be able to retrieve the ashes of his father. Its obvious in the story that Victor wants
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short story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona” is a powerful written novel that brings two ex-friends together to overcome challenges in life. This story is about two characters Victor and Thomas Build-The-Fire‚
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Alexie’s “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona”‚ a young man named Victor finds out that his father has passed‚ but can’t afford to travel from Spokane to Phoenix‚ especially after the fact that he had just lost his job at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The first setting in Spokane describes what Victor and other Indians go through on the reserve‚ this cultural aspect is actually interesting because nobody knows what others go through and how tough their lives may actually be. Victor asks the
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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. After finding out about his father’s death‚ Victor has to go to Phoenix‚ Arizona to pick up his father’s ashes‚ pickup truck and money from his saving. Unfortunately‚ Victor doesn’t have enough
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of “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona” by Sherman Alexie shows the value of a true friendship. A true friend is the one who doesn’t have to physically be by your side the whole time. He can stand aside‚ awaits for your trouble‚ and lends you a hand. A true friend doesn’t care how the world sees him‚ he cares only how his “best” friend view of him. The true friend in this story is Thomas Builds-the-Fire. The story goes back and forth with the present and the past to show Victor and
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In Sherman Alexie’s “This is what it means to say Phoenix‚ Arizona” a man named Victor finds out that his father has passed away. Being next of kin‚ Victor is responsible for gathering his father’s assets together‚ which requires him to make an out of town trip. In order to accomplish this Victor needs help. This help comes from the town outcast‚ Thomas Builds-the Fire. Victor and Thomas were childhood best friends but as they grew older‚ Victor turned his back on the one that always looked out
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Otherness in a nutshell is a feeling like one does not fit in for any number of reasons. Race‚ gender‚ sexuality‚ religion and appearance are just a few of the reasons. This is felt throughout life from childhood to adulthood. When you are in school it may be something as silly as your brand of shoes‚ you may not have the cool ones because your parents cannot afford them‚ so you get made fun of. Then here you are as an adult and it may be the car you drive or neighborhood you live in that
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