Question

Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story.

In "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona," how does author Sherman Alexie use the character of Thomas to convey one of the story's themes?

Responses

The stories that Thomas tells and his desire to be listened to allow Alexie to show that telling and listening to stories is an important way people shape and understand their lives.
The stories that Thomas tells and his desire to be listened to allow Alexie to show that telling and listening to stories is an important way people shape and understand their lives.

By showing that Thomas does not have a job or a family, Alexie demonstrates that people who spend their time wrapped up in stories are likely to be unprepared for the struggles of real life.
By showing that Thomas does not have a job or a family, Alexie demonstrates that people who spend their time wrapped up in stories are likely to be unprepared for the struggles of real life.

The mistreatment that Thomas endures on the reservation lets Alexie suggest that storytelling is a dangerous practice that should be avoided when possible.
The mistreatment that Thomas endures on the reservation lets Alexie suggest that storytelling is a dangerous practice that should be avoided when possible.

By depicting Thomas as less intelligent than Victor, Alexie shows that even the best storytellers do not always understand the full meaning of the tales they tell.

Answer 1

The first response. Thomas’s storytelling—and his need to be heard—shows that telling and listening to stories is a vital way people make sense of their lives. His stories preserve tribal memory, prompt Victor to confront his past and his father’s death, and help rebuild the connection between them, underscoring the story’s theme about the power of narrative and listening.