This Is What Its Meant to Say Phoenix Arizona by Sherman Alexie

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Sudesh Bhagirathy Prof: Alexandra Sillo ENG101 11/20/2012 An analysis of Thomas and Victor’s Relationship in Sherman Alexie’s “What it means to Say Phoenix Arizona” Victor and Thomas are no longer friends; they haven’t been friends for a long time, not since Victor beat up Thomas. When they were children they were close and share many good times and played together every day. As children Thomas would tell stories and “tell me a story a Story Victor would say”. Things changed when they were both about 15 years old, Victor was drunk and gave Thomas a beating so badly he couldn’t move and had to be carried home. No one on the reservation knew exactly why Victor would act this way and most thought it was for no reason at all. Thomas told Victor a story which predicted his father was unhappy and he was going to abandon Victor and his mom. The Beating happened sometime after Victor’s father had left. Since the incident they haven’t spoken and have led separate lives up until the death of Victor’s Father. With the death of Victor’s father, does this spark a new reunion, enable forgiveness and evoke a better understanding between the two? Victor needs to go to Phoenix to collect his father’s remains and his personal belongings which includes money, personal possessions and a pickup. On the reservation where most people have nothing, any money and equipment can be very useful and valuable. But getting to Phoenix is not as easy as you would imagine. Victor needs money to travel there; he went to the Tribal Council seeking their help, he was only able to get a hundred dollars. This is all the money the council had but it’s still not enough. Victor is not sure how he will get the rest of the money and he doesn’t have any of his own or anyone to turn to. He visits the Post to cash the check and encounters Thomas, who is standing at a magazine rack talking to himself.

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