“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie is a poignant story that engages with the themes of identity, friendship, loss, cultural heritage, and the impacts of historical and societal forces on Native American communities. The story follows the protagonist Victor Joseph, a young Native American man living on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State.
The story was originally published in his collection of short stories titled “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” (1993).
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Summary
The story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” takes place in the early 1990s and follows Victor, a Native American residing on a reservation in the Pacific Northwest. After losing his job, Victor receives news that his father has passed away from a heart attack in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite their estranged relationship, Victor feels a sense of sorrow upon hearing of his father’s death.
Financially unable to transport his father’s cremated remains back to the reservation, Victor receives assistance from Thomas Builds-the-Fire, another resident of the reservation. Thomas, who was once Victor’s childhood friend but became an outcast due to his constant habit of storytelling, offers to cover the expenses in exchange for accompanying Victor on the journey. Victor reluctantly agrees.
During their flight to Phoenix, Victor and Thomas encounter Cathy, a former Olympic gymnast, and engage in a conversation touching upon the United States’ history of oppression against Native Americans. Upon reaching Phoenix, they retrieve the cremated remains and reminisce about kind moments involving Victor’s father, shared by Thomas aloud.
The two friends embark on the return journey to the reservation using Victor’s father’s pickup truck, witnessing a solitary jackrabbit’s tragic death along the barren Nevada desert. As they reach the reservation, Victor presents half of his father’s ashes as a gift to Thomas, acknowledging their friendship. However, they both understand that their bond cannot fully rekindle due to Victor’s fear of societal rejection.
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” portrays Victor’s emotional journey following his father’s death, his reconnection with Thomas during the trip to retrieve the ashes, and the bittersweet realization that their friendship remains constrained by societal pressures.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Analysis
The story takes place in two distinct physical settings: the Native American reservation and Phoenix, Arizona, where Victor’s father passed away. While the journey to Phoenix grants Victor and Thomas a sense of liberation, their return to the reservation exposes Victor to the reality that his preconceived notions about community were mistaken.
The narrative is conveyed by a third-person narrator who stands outside the story but primarily presents Victor’s perspective. There are instances when the narrator shifts focus to Thomas and delves into his memories. The story travels back and forth in time, through the perspectives of the two characters whose troubled interconnected past the reader is shown through flashbacks. This non-chronological structure debunks the imposing Western linear and chronological tradition of narration.
Storytelling holds great significance in indigenous cultures, serving as a means of passing down cultural history, addressing moral inquiries, and imparting life lessons. This tradition is also prominent in Sherman Alexie’s short story, “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”. The language used in the story, including the names of the characters, contributes to the authenticity of the text and reflects the Native American culture. Through the use of backstory and a third-person narrative, the story explores strained relationships and the quest for self-identity from a Native American perspective. Alexie portrays how personal conflicts and fractured connections with loved ones can lead to internal turmoil, and seeking guidance, understanding, and purpose.
The author prompts readers to ask essential questions about themselves and others, facilitating self-reflection and fostering clarity and insight. By examining the complex relationships among the characters and the narrative structure, readers can not only gain knowledge about Native peoples but also discover more about themselves. The story’s portrayal of strained relationships and its cultural underpinnings allow readers to engage with the characters and the broader cultural context, promoting personal growth and understanding.
The social setting of the story addresses issues such as bullying and discrimination, which are depicted through flashbacks that shed light on how Thomas became a target of harassment by other boys on the reservation. The social setting also explores the internal structure of Native American reservations and delves into Native American customs and traditions.
Symbols employed in the narrative serve to illustrate the notion that the present condition of Native American culture deviates from traditional customs and moves towards a more contemporary way of life.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Themes
Sherman Alexie’s short story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” explores themes of identity, friendship, loss, cultural heritage, and the impacts of historical and societal forces on Native American communities. It provides a poignant reflection on personal journeys, reconciliation, and the struggles of finding meaning and connection in a complex world.
The story delves into the complexities of Native American identity and the impact of cultural heritage. Victor and Thomas, both Native Americans, struggle with their sense of self within the context of their reservation and the wider world. They navigate the tension between their traditional cultural values and the influences of modern society.
The relationship between Victor and Thomas serves as a central theme. Their childhood friendship was strained due to Thomas’ social exclusion caused by his storytelling tendencies. Victor’s physical attack on Thomas when they were younger highlights the impact of societal pressures and the consequences of conformity. However, their journey to Phoenix provides an opportunity for reconciliation and a glimpse into the depth of their shared history.
Victor’s father’s death acts as a catalyst for Victor’s emotional journey. Despite their estranged relationship, Victor experiences grief, showcasing the complexities of familial connections and the ambivalence of emotions in the face of loss.
Moreover, through Thomas’s conversation with Cathy, the story touches upon the history of oppression faced by Native Americans. References to the United States’ government’s boycotting of the 1980 Olympics and Thomas highlighting the history of genocide and oppression serve to shed light on the ongoing effects of colonialism and the struggle for Native American communities to preserve their culture.
On the return trip, the two undertake the lone jackrabbit that meets its demise on the road symbolizing isolation and loneliness. Its tragic death prompts Victor and Thomas to contemplate the rabbit’s motives, reflecting their feelings of solitude and the challenges of finding connection and understanding in their lives.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Title of the Story
The title “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” holds several layers of significance within the context of the story. Geographically, ‘Phoenix, Arizona’ represents the specific location where Victor’s father lived and eventually passed away. The choice of Phoenix as the setting is significant because the city’s name is known for its association with rebirth and transformation, as the mythical phoenix is said to rise from its ashes. This symbolic connection to Phoenix ties into the themes of renewal, reconciliation, and personal growth explored in the story.
The title suggests that the story is not solely about the physical journey to retrieve Victor’s father’s remains, but also about the characters’ deeper emotional and personal journeys, and their search for meaning and understanding in their lives. Through their shared experience in Phoenix, both characters confront their past, reconcile with their own identities, and navigate complex emotions related to loss, grief, friendship, and cultural heritage. By revisiting Phoenix, the city where Victor’s father lived, Victor aims to unravel his father’s past and establish a connection to his heritage. The journey becomes a metaphorical exploration of identity, heritage, and the significance of familial ties.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Character Sketch
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” features several key characters whose interactions and personal journeys drive the narrative. The protagonist of the story, Victor is a Native American man living on a reservation in the Pacific Northwest. He is recently unemployed and receives news of his father’s death in Phoenix, Arizona. Victor embarks on a journey to retrieve his father’s remains, which leads to self-reflection, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of his cultural heritage.
Thomas is a fellow resident of the reservation and Victor’s childhood friend. Known for his constant storytelling, Thomas has become an outcast in the community. He offers financial assistance to Victor for their trip to Phoenix, and throughout the journey, his presence challenges Victor’s preconceived notions and allows for the exploration of their shared history and friendship.
Victor’s father, another major character, has passed away before the story begins. It is his memory and legacy that plays a significant role in the story. Victor’s relationship with his father was distant and strained, but as the story progresses, Victor comes to terms with his father’s flaws and finds a deeper understanding of their connection.
Cathy, a minor character, is the white woman Victor and Thomas encounter on their flight to Phoenix. A former Olympic gymnast, Cathy engages in a conversation with Thomas about the United States’ history of oppression against Native Americans. Her presence prompts reflections on historical injustices and the complexities of cultural identity.
Other characters, such as members of the reservation community and individuals encountered during the journey, contribute to the story’s depiction of Native American culture, personal growth, and societal dynamics.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona | Literary Devices
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” employs various literary devices to enhance its storytelling and convey its themes effectively. The story utilizes flashbacks to provide background information about the characters, particularly Victor and Thomas. These glimpses into the past help the reader understand the complexities of their relationship, the history of the reservation, and the impact of societal pressures on their lives.
The story incorporates symbolism to deepen its themes and meaning. For example, the lone jackrabbit that runs into the road and is killed by the truck represents themes of isolation, loneliness, and the fragility of life. It serves as a metaphor for the characters’ feelings of disconnection and the challenges they face in finding belonging and understanding.
Foreshadowing is used to hint at future events or themes in the story. One instance is when Thomas tells a story about a man who turned into a salmon and was reunited with his family. This foreshadows Victor’s eventual reunion with his father’s remains and the process of reconciliation and closure.
Imagery is employed to create vivid mental images and evoke the reader’s senses. For example, descriptions of the reservation, the deserts of Nevada, and the airport scene in Phoenix paint a visual picture of the settings and enhance the reader’s immersion in the story.
The dialogue in the story serves multiple purposes. It reveals character traits, advances the plot, and provides insights into the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and cultural perspectives. The conversations between Victor, Thomas, and other characters shed light on their relationships, personal struggles, and the wider social context.
