What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona, And Don T Drink The Water

Oftentimes accounts are told in only one perspective, such as the struggle between Native Americans and white Anglo-Saxon Americans. Through utilizing texts like “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” and “Evolution” by Sherman Alexie, “Ellis Island” by Joseph Bruchac-III, and “Don’t Drink the Water” by The Dave Matthews Band, authors can convey multiple perspectives to the audience. By contrasting the different viewpoints between Native Americans and white Anglo-Saxon Americans, the authors are able to present a more complete picture of the story and establish the theme, purpose, and style of the work.
Juxtaposition can help broaden the scope of the piece, which in turn helps establish the overall theme. This is commonly expressed

through a shift in the text to indicate a change in perspective. For example, in the poem “Ellis Island,” Bruchac-III uses the phrase “Another voice speaks of native lands within this nation” to indicate the Native American view of what the Statue of Liberty symbolizes. This change in point of view helps the author convey his theme of how there is another side to the American Dream. Similarly, the short story “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” also presents the Native American view by saying “strange how us Indians celebrate the fourth of July” (Alexie, 3), establishing a theme of how society is changing tradition. These differences in perspectives when contrasted with one another enables the authors to effectively develop the theme.
The purpose of writing these works is to inform the reader about perspectives that are usually not considered; this is often done using stylistic language.

In Sherman Alexie’s poem “Evolution,” the purpose is to reveal how the Native Americans are being taken advantage of. Alexie satirically writes how “when the last Indian has pawned everything…[Buffalo Bill] charges the Indians five bucks a head to enter [The Museum of Native American Cultures].” Likewise, The Dave Matthews Band’s song “Don’t Drink the Water” also illustrates the harsh treatment of Native Americans, but from a hostile white Anglo-Saxon American point of view: “You feel a right to remain / Then stay and I will bury you.” In order to achieve the purpose, the authors also use different elements of style that are often narrative, descriptive, and direct, like “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” and “Evolution,” to tell a story. In addition, “Don’t Drink the Water” uses repetition and parallelism throughout the poem to emphasize the lines while “Ellis Island” has hints of situational irony when the author reveals that the Statue of Liberty is not a symbol of freedom for everyone, contrary to what one would expect. Stylistic elements, when used in multiple perspectives, assist the writers achieve their

purpose.
The authors are able to establish the theme, purpose, and style of the pieces through juxtaposing and contrasting various viewpoints. They employ techniques like shifting perspectives and other stylistic elements to better enhance the theme and achieve their purpose of presenting an alternative way of inspecting the American Dream.