Search results
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” takes place on an unnamed reservation near Spokane Falls. The protagonist, Victor, loses his job at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and soon after finds out his father has died of a heart attack.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven study guide contains a biography of Sherman Alexie, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.
- Victor
- Thomas Builds-the-Fire
- Cathy The Gymnast
- Victor’s Father
Victor, a young man who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, is thestory’s main character. At the beginning of the narrative, he has lost his jobat the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is broke. His father left the family whenhe was very young, and Victor had little contact with his father before hedied. After his father has a fatal heart attack ...
Thomas grew up with Victor. He always wants to tell stories, but no onewants to listen to them. When the boys were young and attending a Fourth ofJuly fireworks display, Thomas told Victor a story about two young Indigenousboys who wanted to be heroes. They stole a car and parked it outside the policestation in a quest for recognition. It is also r...
When Victor and Thomas are on the plane to Phoenix, they sit next to a tinywhite woman who twists her body into a pretzel. Thomas asks her about herbackground, and she tells them she was an alternate in the 1980 Olympics. Sheis a friendly woman who spends the flight speaking with Victor and Thomas.
Victor’s father left Victor and his mother when Victor was seven years old,and he and Victor have been in infrequent contact since then. When the storyopens, Victor’s father has died in his trailer in Phoenix, Arizona. Victorretrieves his father’s remains along with his $300 in savings and a few itemsfrom the trailer. Thomas Builds-the-Fire also ha...
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona Summary & Study Guide includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis, quotes, character descriptions, themes, and more.
Oct 23, 2009 · Alexie also co-wrote with Chris Eyre the screenplay for the movie “Smoke Signals,” which was based on Alexie’s short story, “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona.” The movie won...
Dec 17, 2023 · “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.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona. Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1993. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. Download PDF. Access Full Guide.
