More handpicked essays just for you.
This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona analysis
This is what it means to say phoenix, arizona" by sherman alexie analysis
Summary of what it means to say phoenix arizona
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
The ability to know what the future holds can be beneficial or detrimental. In the short story “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie, Thomas builds-the-fire is born with the special gift to read the future through his intriguing stories. He cherished this gift and held it close to him. Although, he did not only used it for himself but for the sake of his loved ones. Thomas Builds-The-Fire has the ability to tell stories that is bound to happen because he is given the power to protect the tribe no matter the circumstances.
Thomas’s vision helps Victor realize how his father truly feels about his family. Years before Victor's father’s death Thomas tells Victor “Your father’s heart is weak” and that he would rather
“Victor hadn’t seen his father in a few years, only talked to him on the telephone once or twice, but still there was a genetic pain, which was soon to be pain as real and immediate as a broken bone” Not only had Victor not seen
In the first scene of Smoke Signals there is a flash back to when Arnold Joseph, Victor's father saves infant Thomas and Victor from a raging house fire that kills both of Thomas's parents. The flash back shows the fire that encompasses Victor started very early in his life. Thomas states, "You know, there are some children who aren't really children at all. They're just pillars of fire that burn everything they touch." (Smoke Signals) This comment vividly describes who Victor is as a human. A few scenes later you once again see the movie flash back to when Victor and Thomas were around ten years old. Thomas is giving Victor a hard time about his father leaving which results in Victor threatening to beat Thomas up again. One can hear the anger spewing from Victor's mouth and the pain that lies beneath the
Victor had a tough relationship with his father and it becomes even worse as it gets. The more his dad was drinking,
Growing up, Victor and Thomas didn’t get a long so well. Thomas was often annoying and Victor just wanted to be left alone. Thomas often talked of Arnold and Victor never wanted to talk about his deserted father. The last thing that Victor wanted to do was talk about the father that bailed on...
Victor’s father’s death would be tougher on Victor than William’s, Henry’s, and Elizabeth’s death because they communicated more emotionally with each other then other characters. “What then become of me? I know not; I lost sensation, and chains and darkness were the only objects that pressed upon me.” (Shelley, 189) This quote depicts the lack of sensation Victor faces after the death of his father.
If no one would have stopped Victor, Thomas-build-the-fire would have died which clearly shows the readers that Victor is mentally troubled. Not only does he lose his father but, Victor also loses his best friend on that same day. In other words, Victor is mentally traumatized after the abandonment. In fact, Rothe Eugenio, a professor in the department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at Florida Inter... ... middle of paper ... ...
Through connecting with his former best friend, Victor was able travel to Phoenix to reclaim his father’s ashes and belongings. During the trip we see Thomas and Victor reminisce about their former days as friends, and although at the end they both agreed that they could not be friends, they gained a deeper understanding of each other. Even though Victor could not say it, deep down, he knew that his best friend was in fact Thomas.
...or was not thinking of others in his actions, but only of himself. He did not consider the tumult the abnormally large creature could cause in the world, nor what the feelings of the monster would be towards him if he abandoned him. Victor also did not contemplate the safety of his friends, as he had the chance to stop the creature’s misdoings but failed to do so, risking the life of his friends. Therefore, Victor was a selfish being, who only concerned himself with his wishes and never evaluated the situation of his loved ones, ultimately causing their demise. The misfortunate events that occurred through Victor’s life could have been prevented, and also discontinued when Victor had the chance. However, Victor’s irresponsibility overcame these opportunities and he in turn, caused misfortunes for himself as well as his loved ones.
A person's next move can affect them and someone in their life without them even realizing it. So why would they want to make the decision that could result in a sudden death in their family ? It is only right they be held accountable for the steps that lead up to or occurred after, they got entrapped in a life or death situation unless, it happens to be an accident.
After the death of William and Justine, Victor falls into a depression because he is disturbed with the guilt of the death of William and Justine.
Victor knew he was a Native American that lived on the reservation. However, as he has grown up, it seems he has forgotten the tribal ties of the Native Americans. The people of that culture consider everyone in the tribe to be family and they are not ashamed of who they are and where they come from. Towards the end of the fictional narrative it is said, “Victor was ashamed of himself. Whatever happened to the tribal ties, the sense of community? The only real thing he shared with anybody was a bottle and broken dreams. He owed Thomas something, anything” (519). At the end of the story, Victor has finally realize that he is acting self absorbed. He realizes that this is not who he wants to be and he should not be ashamed to talk to Thomas Builds-a-Fire. Remembering his tribal ties, Victor gives half of his father 's ashes to Thomas. By doing that, Victor is thanking Thomas in his own way. Victor said, “listen, and handed Thomas the cardboard box which contained half of his father. “I want you to have this” (519). Individuals on the reservation thought Thomas was just a madman with weird stories. But in reality he was always true to his tribal identity and has even taught Victor how to get back to that. For example Thomas says, “I’m going to travel to Spokane Falls one last time and toss these ashes into the water. And your father will rise like a salmon, leap over the bridge, over me, and find his way
With the different trips that Victor endures individually, it hints a sense of individuality as he seeks isolation from the world. He is also a very emotional man, who loves his family. As death of his family members occurs, he becomes emotionally unstable and seeks revenge against his creation. Ultimately trying to end the life he so vigorously wanted to create. This reflects both the passion and individualism theme from the Romantic
Everything starts to change once Victors ambitions become his life. He leaves to study at Ingolstadt, where his destiny begins to unfold. This is when Victor’s isolation begins. The search for the secrets of life consumes him for many years until he thinks he has found it. For months, he assembles what he needs for his creation to come alive.
Victor’s initial isolation as a child foreshadows the motif of detachment that occurs throughout the novel. As Victor Frankenstein recounts his informative tale to a seafaring Robert Walton, he makes it known that he was a child of nobility; however it is sadly transparent that combined with insufficient parenting Victor’s rare perspective on life pushes him towards a lifestyle of conditional love. Children are considered symbolic of innocence but as a child Victor’s arrogance was fueled by his parents. With his family being “one of the most
In the absence of similar works "in the canon" it is hard not to feel as though, (as the character Ishmael promised), if you accept their premises you are doomed to isolation for, those who see the future most clearly are usually outcasts, lost as to what power they may have to change minds and directions.