Identity is like a mosaic, composed of countless pivotal pieces; however, these pieces become lost over time, as societal expectations reshape one’s identity. Maintaining these elements is crucial, as they ease the connection with one’s unique values in a world where conformity overrules autonomy. Both protagonists in Carleigh Baker's "War of Attrition" and Sherman Alexie’s “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” challenge society’s expectations to assert their autonomy; therefore, exploring the theme of identity. Baker’s story explores the theme of identity through the journey of a young woman, Corrina, preparing to leave her caring husband. Throughout her preparations, she faces internal doubt and guilt caused by her coworker Lana, who …show more content…
Likewise, Alexie’s story vividly illustrates the theme of identity through the journey of Victor, as he decides to go on a journey to Phoenix with Thomas Builds-A-Fire: an unconventional storyteller, seen as an outcast. Although he is hesitant, he ultimately decides to follow his true desire and go on the trip with Thomas. Through their journey together, Victor reconciles with the importance of community, storytelling, and expression of true identity. The two protagonists in “War of Attrition” and “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” highlight the hardship of fighting through societal expectations to express one’s true identity. Baker’s story illustrates the effect of judgment on one’s self-esteem. As Corrina navigates her preparations for the divorce, her self-esteem is heavily influenced by those surrounding her, including her coworker, Lana. She serves as a constant reminder of what is traditionally expected of women: prioritizing security provided by a male figure. Lana’s blunt comments and desires reinforce societal expectations, leading Corrina to feel “ ignorant”. And spoiled. And probably crazy" (Baker
Rebirth: “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” Life is not always what we expect it to be. The way in which we address our circumstances and how we allow our circumstances to affect us can sometimes dictate our life. In the story” This is What It Means to say Phoenix, Arizona,” we are presented the opportunity to view the life of two vital characters, Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire. The author, Sherman Alexie has used for his advantage the elements of literature to bring the reader to
Indigenous American. One of Alexie’s most famous piece of writing is his short story “This is What it Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” from his 1993 book The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, which interconnects short stories with recurring characters. The previously listed story, “This is What it Means To Say Phoenix”, follows the journey of Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire as they travel to Phoenix, Arizona to collect Victors recently deceased father’s ashes. The two characters are polar
“This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” discusses the physical and mental journey of Victor, a Native American man in the state of Washington, as he goes to Phoenix, Arizona to claim his father’s remains and his savings account. While on this journey, Victor learns about himself, his father, and his Indian culture with the help of his estranged friend, Thomas Builds-the–Fire. The author, Sherman Alexie, plays on the stereotypes of Native Americans through the characters of Victor and Thomas
present and the present makes the upcoming future. In the short story, “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie, there are two main characters, Victor and Thomas Builds-the –Fire, and their identities represent the past and present lives for what they think it is right or wrong. Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire are friends of each other, but they did not get together until Victor’s father died in Phoenix, Arizona from Spoke, Washington where they lived. In the Spoke, Washington
The theme in a story is the message or big idea that the author is trying to reveal in his or her narrative. If there was no underlining theme in Sherman Alexie’s short story, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” then readers would have no interest in reading the fictional story. Understanding the message that Alexie is trying to display to his readers can vary in many ways and depends on the reader 's understanding of the story. Strong themes that are presented in the fictional tale are
Symbolism is a big part of This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix Arizona. In fact, the story is a bit cryptic. At face value, it is a short road-trip about two long-separated friends. But, underneath what is obvious, it is a story of growth, clarity, and understanding. Starting with the tittle, the story makes a statement that leaves a question. The key word from the title is “Phoenix.” This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix Arizona is about Victor rising up as a character. Victor didn’t really
In Sherman Alexie’s short story, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” there are the two main characters in the story in which we follow along with on their journey and notice their change. Victor has just been laid off and found out his father has died. His character at the beginning of the story is negative, frustrated, angry, and confused. Having found out both of these things within the same week for him has given him a negative outlook. Thomas on the other hand is the storyteller on
societal pressures mold adolescents into adulthood, and the person they will be. In “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” Sherman Alexie’s protagonist Victor is no different. Victor’s outlook on life is heavily influenced by his Indian culture, the condition of the reservation, and the people he has met that have left a lasting impression. The massacre of the Indian population by the founding fathers of this country has had a lasting impact on the Indian culture that Victor and
In the Story, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona by Sherman Alexie is about the main character Victor how he encounter challenges about being Native American and poor. He has a companion named Thomas Builds a Fire with to accompany him on a trip to Phoenix Arizona to take his father and have him cremated. In the second story, Victor or the narrator talks more in depth about how it is being Native American in a foreign land. Also, describing
Ashes: “This is What it Means to say Phoenix, Arizona” For many decades, the myth and stereotypes surrounding native American Culture has long been only viewed through, Hollywood portrayals, religious, educational studies. It has long remained controversial topic and has raised just as many questions concerning Indians and the cultural life of Native Americans as it has answered. Sherman Alexie’s story serves to both reinforce those stereotypes and shatter them all together. In “This is What it Means
How would somebody be able to function after losing a job and a family member all at once? Sherman Alexie’s short story, “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” demonstrates the importance of having past relationships to aid in self-identification. Victor, the main character, is responsible to get his father’s remains, however, his father was not part of his childhood. In addition, he lost his job at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His cousin, Thomas tags along to give him the ability to look
Sherman Alexie, the author of “This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona” uses satire, sarcasm, and dry humor to portray his message. The message that no matter what goes on in life—good or bad—the present, the future, the visions, and the flashbacks tend to move right along in the same direction as the present. Sherman Alexie accomplishes the goal of moving forward in life by using Thomas—a character in the short story who is very lively and funny. The Author purposely used a character like
This is What it Means to be Natives In the short story “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie Native Americans are accurately depicted due to the author’s Native American heritage and his upbringing in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Tribe. In the story, the character Victor needed help to retrieve his father’s remains, and his childhood acquaintance Thomas acting out of tradition says that he will lend him money (Alexie 245). The role of a Native American should be played or
Compare /Contrast and describe the changes, if any, that occur with Victor as a result of this encounter with Thomas (“This is what it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”) and with the narrator of Carver’s “Cathedral and “Robert—the blind man.” When discussing “Cathedral,” please don’t forget to talk about the narrator’s wife, as she is crucial to the story. Consider: How does one character teach the other, and what does one learn from the other? How storytelling/art forms important in each work? How do
Alexie’s “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” and “Dead Men’s Path”, the reader is given a glimpse into two different stories but share many similar characteristics of traditions. Tradition is the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information and cultures within a group of people from generation to generation. However, these two stories will reveal that the protagonists in these stories, Michael from “Dead Men’s Path” and Victor from “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix