Lorisa Qumawunu June 7‚ 2013 English 102 Essay #1(revision) “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona” In the short story‚ “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona”‚ by Sherman Alexie‚ I looked at two characters: Thomas and Victor. Thomas Builds-the-Fire is a storyteller on a reservation who everyone ignores because they think he is crazy. Victor on the other hand is a guy who would not dare be seen talking to Thomas. Thomas knows that Victor is in
Premium Short story Sherman Alexie
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
Premium Oedipus Oedipus the King Hamlet
What Does It Mean To Say Phoenix‚Arizona. For Victor to say Phoenix‚ Arizona can draw a lot of emotion. His father had passed away from a heart attack and wasn’t found until a week later. He hadn’t seen his father for many years. The only communication was by phone maybe once or twice. On top of that‚ Victor had lost his job at the BIA. He was not financially stable to go to Phoenix to pick up his dad so he contacted the Tribal Affairs. The council was only allowed to provide him with a
Premium Family Father Mother
Angela Smith Mrs. Black Engl. 1102 January 31 2014 Plot “This is what it means to say Phoenix‚Arizona” “This is what it means to say Phoenix‚ Arizona” by Sherman Alexie is about the life struggles of two American Indians named Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire. Victor‚the protagonist‚ has not only lost his job but his father as well. With the aid of Thomas he will travel to collect his father’s remains and estate. This story is neatly structured in a standard plot line format‚ built
Premium
and alcohol and drug abuse. Starting at a very young age Alexie had overcome many obstacles as does his characters in his stories. In the short story‚ “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix‚ Arizona‚” the author Sherman Alexie shows the struggles of Native Americans in a white man’s world. To help us better understand these struggles‚ this paper will analyze the characters‚ theme and setting of this story. The characters of a story is what holds the audiences’ attention. It’s important a storyteller
Premium Native Americans in the United States Sherman Alexie United States
Lost Heritage Alice Walker illustrates the significance of heritage in material objects by contrasting the family members in the story "Everyday Use". Walker uses Mama and Maggie‚ the youngest of the two sisters‚ as an example that heritage travels from one generation to another through experience and learning. However‚ Dee‚ the oldest daughter‚ possesses a misconception of heritage as material. During Dee’s visit‚ contrast of characters becomes a conflict. Dee says that the mother does not understand
Premium Family
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
Premium Sherman Alexie Native Americans in the United States Fiction
also reflect different perspectives on life. In “Everyday Use”‚ Alice Walker presents the character of Dee as arrogant and selfish; however‚ closer examination shows that Dee is not expressive towards her family and is rather smart and straightforward to go with the flow of life.
Premium Culture Sociology Anthropology
An 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
Premium Greek mythology Fahrenheit 451 Dystopia
Compare and Contrast In Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian‚ Junior is a young American Indian that is shy and has low self-esteem‚ and has a few issues physically and his surroundings. He has a best friend named Rowdy. Rowdy is rude and has no emotion to any situation. What many people at the reservation don’t know is that Rowdy and Junior have real problems at home with their parents. The differences between Rowdy and Junior are the family and the personalities.
Premium Mother Father Family