This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona Summary

How would somebody be able to function after losing a job and a family member all at once? Sherman Alexie’s short story, “This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” demonstrates the importance of having past relationships to aid in self-identification. Victor, the main character, is responsible to get his father’s remains, however, his father was not part of his childhood. In addition, he lost his job at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His cousin, Thomas tags along to give him the ability to look back on his past. While Victor lost his job and father, he is able to mature and gain a new understanding of himself.

With the loss of a job and his father, this renders him in a weaken state of doubt. While his father did not play a major role in his life, "there still was a genetic pain, which was soon to be pain as real and immediate as a broken bone” (511). This illustrates there is still some sort of connection with family at the core, regardless of how little contact there have been between him and his father. In

addition, Victor’s personality is that of a likeable guy, not over the top, yet not too reserved. He does not seem like the nicest person based on the way he avoids contact with his own cousin. Granted, everyone else does the same to escape from having to listen to his boring and seemingly pointless stories. Although Thomas is family, and is not fully appreciated until he is useful to Victor (512).
Victor develops an understanding of himself throughout the journey that he and Thomas went through.

Victor finally accepts the fact that his father is gone; “He searched his mind for memories of his father, found the good ones, found a few bad ones, added it all up, and smiled” (516). This illustrates to the reader that he gains forgiveness and acceptance of his father’s death. Furthermore, Thomas plays a huge role in the development of Victor. Though Thomas’s stories often annoy Victor, he gives a specific story that makes Victor realize his father’s intentions. Thomas goes on to explain a story that was actually a dream with Victor’s father, Arnold. He was “waiting for a vision,” or a sign from the dream. Victor’s dad explains to Thomas, “Take care of each other” (516). This definitely marks the turning point for Victor because no matter what issues come his way back home, he grows into a different person, in comparison to the beginning of the

story.
Victor develops a different perspective of himself. The beginning of the story was a rocky climb for Victor due various problems. However, as the story progress, he changes into a more genuine individual. When the two boys went on the journey, Thomas is able to shift Victor’s perspective from negative to positive. The story’s theme is about regeneration of oneself. Thomas is the Phoenix of the story, while the ashes from Victor’s father represents Victor’s own life.