This is what it means to say phoenix arizona summary

This Is What It means to say This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona Terrance Bynum 07/17/2020 This Is What It means to say The setting of a story can also be the mood of the characters, the scene, important events that are taking place, and even the weather. It is essential to be careful when identifying the setting and all the key components when reading a particular piece of literature. Being able to thoroughly research the exact time and place the story was written and takes place will help readers and authors better understand the piece as a whole. Even being able to identify the background history of the author of the story will help to understand and locate the setting of the piece. The setting in Sherman Alexie’s story, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”, affects the plot of the story by showing loss and powerful emotions, the story taking place on an Indian Reservation in Phoenix, Arizona, and by taking the audience on an adventure showing two men’s journey across states to comfort one another in a time of need. In Sherman Alexie’s story, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”, two old friends named Victor and Thomas, travel across the states to handle something very difficult for Victor. The two men lost touch over the years and are now trying to come together to reminisce and help each other through a very difficult time. The story takes place on an Indian Reservation which comes with its own set of problems and challenges for both of them. As the journey continues, the two men find more and more similarities between them, and eventually mend an old bond they once shared as children. In the story, one of the main characters Victor, is having to deal with the sudden loss of his father. He is supposed to travel from Washington all the way to Phoenix, Arizona to pick up his father’s belongings. He is then faced with a financial problem and not knowing how he will be able to get there. Victor just recently lost his job and has no money to get there or back. An old friend whom he had grown up with named Thomas, offers to help him out and pay for This Is What It means to say everything to make it easier for Victor, Thomas is doing this deed as a kindness but, Victor thinks that he is only trying to down him and make him look bad. Victor had never had a strong relationship with his father. As the two men arrive at Victors’ father’s trailer, they immediately get the strong stench of death, as it was that his father was not found dead for a few days. The story takes place on an Indian Reservation where both Victor and Thomas grew up together. Living on a reservation faces challenges and obstacles all on its own. They are overthrown by gambling debt, alcoholism, truancy, unemployment, and many other social and financial problems. The story never specified but, by reading deeper into the story’s context the readers get an uneasy feeling that Victor’s father was an alcoholic and maybe even abusive to Victor at times. Maybe this is the reason for Victor leaving the reservation and moving states. The mood of the story starts out uneasy and uncomfortable. As the story continues the mood changes drastically. The two men started out feeling uncomfortable with each other and even a bit jealous. As the two men arrive to Victor’s father’s trailer, Victor finds a photo album, stereo, and his father’s truck. Victor suddenly gets flashbacks and starts pointing out all the negatives. Trying to lighten the mood and make things a little better, Thomas tries pointing out the positive sides to Victor’s father and his legacy. They begin to share stories and memories of his father with one another. For example, Thomas was picked up one time when he was only thirteen years old by Victor’s father. He bought him dinner and then brought him home.