Symbolism In This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona

The meaning of Sherman Alexis, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” is amplified by the story’s symbolism. Before we can point out symbols in the story we first must know what a symbol is. A symbol is something that represents or suggest something else. Symbols often take the form or words, visual images, or gestures that are used to convey ideas or beliefs. The symbolism in “This is what it means to say Phoenix Arizona” is what adds insight or understanding to the characters and the many events that takes place in the story. If we don’t understand the symbols in the story we will interpret them wrong. The title of the story itself, amongst other very important elements is significant. We know that Phoenix is a city in Arizona,

Victor is not only reclaiming his father’s ashes but also the ashes of his life. Throughout this story we can see Victor’s starting to change. In the very beginning of the story he seems very mad and uncaring where he came from. Victor’s main concern is getting to Phoenix and claiming his father’s ashes. Thomas Builds- the- Fire is the character in the story that has lit the fire under Victor, as his name indicates. When some people think of fire they see destruction, bringing nothing but ruin, others may see it as something beautiful and it amazes them. Within this story fire is seen as a symbol of passion and of the heart. Although Thomas is an outsider, his fire is what drives Victor. Thomas is looked as a man filled with magic, dreams and visions. When Thomas tells Victor the story about his journey to Spokane Falls to find Victor’s father, it’s at that point Victor realizes the tie between his father and Thomas and that Thomas is a very important part of Victor’s own story. When he left or abandoned Thomas, he abandoned a part of himself; and this is part of what Victor reclaim. Victor learns from Thomas and in doing so learns about himself and home is similar to the rebirth of a

His name is often seen or interpreted as “Victory” or one being victorious. His name is closely related to his journey. Victor as stated earlier struggles to find himself throughout the story but in the end triumphs. The true journey take place inside Victor, who by the end of the story emerges not as a changed man but as one who now has the ability to change. Within the course of this journey, he remembers his childhood innocence and the pain, he recalls the good and the bad about his father, he acknowledges that the things he did in his past hurt Thomas and at that point he gives Thomas half of his father’s