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Literary Analysis Of This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona

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Literary Analysis of “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona” Sherman Alexie's short story "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" involves two characters reflecting upon and reevaluating their past histories and experiences. Victor has just lost his job at the BIU, and he has just received news if his father’s death. Thomas Builds- the- Fire, Victors cousin, reunites with Victor, taking him to Phoenix, Arizona to collect his father’s ashes and personal possessions. Victor hasn’t communicated with Thomas in years due to the fact that no one talks to Thomas because all he does is tell stories every day. But in the end Thomas plays a major role in helping Victor get through this tragedy and be a better man. In the story, writer …show more content…

Not only is he referring to the city Phoenix in Arizona, but also referring to an ancient Greek mythological bird-the Phoenix. In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a bird that periodically dies and is brought back to life from the ashes it had once died in. The Phoenix is a symbol of regeneration and immortality. In this story (Phoenix) symbolizes the act of claiming what has been lost. In the text, Sherman not only gives references to the ashes of the dead, but also to the ashes of Victor’s life as well. Similarly, a part of Victor has died as a result of his father's death, the loss of his job, and his general alienation from his Indian heritage. Victors is rising again all because of the reconnection he has made with his cousin Thomas. Also, symbolism is shown in Thomas Builds-the Fire’s name. His name is symbolic due to the fact that he metaphorically has to light the fire under Victor in order to help his regeneration occur during this major point in his …show more content…

Victor has just lost his job at the BIU, and he has just received news if his father’s death. Thomas Builds- the- Fire reunites with victor, taking him to phoenix to collect his father’s things. The title of the story is symbolic because phoenix can also be described as a mythological bird that periodically dies and is brought back to life from the ashes it had once died in. This represents the rising of Victor in the story as he transitions into a man. Major conflicts of the story included the fight between Thomas and Victor, and also he conflict within Victor’s mind as well. The moral of the story is “Treat people as you would want to be treated and never take anyone or granted.” Victor took Thomas for granted and mistreated him because he was different. But in the end it was Thomas that came to his rescue and not only helped him get to phoenix for his father’s possessions, but helped him find his true identity as

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