This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona Essay

Indigenous culture has been unknown for many decades in Canada. Storytelling in Indigenous communities is especially important, but often the most ignored. The short story “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie demonstrates the different kinds of criticism of Indigenous storytelling. The story follows a man, Victor, collecting his father’s ashes with his estranged childhood friend Thomas. Furthermore, it explores the importance of stories and how it can change perspectives of people. The text demonstrates the clash of cultural understanding in Indigenous communities that provoke both knowledge-seeking and common misconceptions within the community. This is achieved by placing the story in a meaningful context, and

The westernisation within the story gives a clash of cultures because of the different notions of Thomas’ storytelling. While Thomas sees these stories as a gift and something to cherish, and everybody else sees his stories as useless and boring. An example of this idea is the following quote, “...he watched Thomas Builds-the-Fire standing near the magazine rack, talking to himself…Thomas was a storyteller that nobody wanted to listen to.” (Alexie 2). This evidently explains the clash of thoughts between Thomas and Victor, and how situational perspective can be. Victor is very biased towards Thomas’ idea of stories because of the difference between the two guys’ cultural identity. Victor has a more modern life. He worked for the BIA, he states his family has no use for him, but he still lives on the reservation. Thomas however, is very rich in his culture. He understands the importance of storytelling, and he understands his history as well shown in this line,

The context provides controversial concepts to the outside world, like beliefs. Thomas’ and Victor’s difference in beliefs show that perspective can create misconceptions of the community, as well as provoke growth. The following conversation provides context of relationship growth between Victor and Thomas by showing Victor’s willingness to Thomas by hearing his stories. “”...[Thomas] am going to travel to Spokane Falls one last time and toss these ashes into the water…He will rise, Victor, he will rise."…"Just one time when I'm telling a story somewhere, why don't you stop and listen?"..."Just once."” (Alexie 12-13). This scene shows the growth between Victor and Thomas because of Victor’s assumptions throughout the story. Victor’s flashbacks of his and Thomas’ friendship provoked memories in him. How Thomas made promises to Victor’s father, and how Thomas took care of Victor even when they were not on speaking terms. Throughout the book, Victor’s perspective changed from Thomas from negative to positive. Victor became more aware of stories and their meaning because of Thomas. This is a crucial example in the book of how perspectives are made and changed in real-life situations. The misconceptions of Indigenous storytelling is very prominent within the real world. Many do not know about Indigenous storytelling, and therefore judge it without knowing how it helps connect Indigenous people to each