Analysis

An analysis of the short story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie shows that the text has a non-chronological structure which, through several flashbacks, illustrates the relationship between Victor and Thomas before they stopped being friends. 

The main characters are Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, two young men who live on a Native American reservation. Although Victor and Thomas have been best friends and have grown up together, they are currently estranged and have a tense relationship. Their trip together to Phoenix, Arizona, makes them reconnect.

The physical setting is split between the Native American reservation and Phoenix, Arizona, where Victor’s father died. While the journey to Phoenix gives Victor and Thomas a sense of freedom, the return to the reservation makes Victor realize that he had wrong ideas about the sense of community. 

The story’s social setting deals with issues such as bullying and discrimination, which arise in the flashbacks that illustrate how Thomas became the victim of the other boys on the reservation. The social setting also looks at the inner structure of Native American reservations and Native American customs and traditions.

The events are told by a third-person narrator, who is outside the story and mainly presents Victor’s perspective. At times, the narrator switches perspectives and focuses on Thomas and his memories.

The language, particularly the names in the story, gives the text authenticity and reflects the Native American culture. The symbols in the story illustrate the idea that the current condition of the Native American culture strays from the traditions of the past and moves towards a modern way of living. 

A full analysis of the short story can be found on the following pages.