Themes

Acceptance and forgiveness

The short story This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie explores the theme of acceptance and forgiveness. The theme is illustrated by Victor, whose inner conflict is caused by his father abandoning his family.

When Victor finds out about his father’s death, he feels “a genetic pain, which was soon to be pain as real and immediate as a broken bone” (p. 1, ll. 3-4). During his journey to Phoenix, Victor is accompanied by Thomas, whose presence helps him make peace with his father’s death. Victor learns new things about his father, like the fact that he made Thomas promise to watch out for Victor:

Victor was quiet for a long time. He searched his mind for memories of his father, found the good ones, found a few bad ones, added it all up, and smiled. 

‘My father never told me about finding you in Spokane,’ Victor said. 

‘He said he wouldn't tell a...