Textual Analysis: This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona - Literature review Example

 Textual Analysis: This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie (1966) focuses on the role of cultural heritage wherein the two main characters symbolize the remembered and the forgotten. Victor symbolizes the remembered one, and Thomas stands for the forgotten one. The death of Victor’s father is also a significant impact on the story for it signifies the cultural heritage of the two main characters. The major characters of the story are cousins: Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire. Victor can be depicted as one who would remember anything that he used to perceive, while Thomas Builds-the-Fire can be described as one who does not need to reminisce anything just as because things are perceived as mainstream and are being tainted with his imaginative stories. Otherwise stated, these two major characters depict a very contradictory feature and opposite characteristic in the plot of the story. While the other believes that there is something that is hidden in the present, the other chooses to believe that the past has a connection with the present that it might reveal something on it. This line would certainly describe the character of Thomas Builds-the-Fire when he reminisces the memories of Victor’s father as they met along the Spokane long time ago. He said he was longing to have known his sole vision in life, but nobody had it known for him; until such time, when Victor’s father went by and took good care of him, making Thomas realized that it may be perceived as his vision: to take good care of others. Notably, Thomas Builds-the-Fire’s character is a salient depiction of the forgotten one. Thomas is not a prisoner of the past; rather, he points it out as a thing that should be instilled in the present to get moving. He is the person who still believes on the importance of the cultural heritage that Victor has already forgotten. He symbolizes the old tribal ties and the unity of the community that they used to have. To the extent, there is this locus in the plot of the story that Thomas reveals his predictions about the future, whereby he chooses to delineate futuristic stories out of his imaginations to the people around him. Additionally, his delineations in the story are describing him as one that always talks about the happenings in the past. Also, he wants to characterize that remembering the cultures that they once have is valuable. Like what has been delineated, he tells stories that he remembers, including the memories he had with Victor’s father. His character point out that honoring the past is still an essential aspect in his present life. Delving into the death of Victor’s father is an emblem that the story wants Victor to remember his long-time-gone father. Somehow, Thomas, having the stories he had with Victor’s father, could cultivate the inner sentiments of Victor to look back and imagine the memories that he had with his father. Significantly, reminiscing the past about Victor’s father becomes an eventual approach to let Victor remembers an old friend whom he used to play with and used to be his closest friend--Thomas. The death of his father made him remembered the things in the past, which he never thought of conceiving with his present locus in life. The remembering of memories with his father represents the remembering of their past traditions. It leads him back to what life had used to be. In relation, Thomas, a total opposite of Victor, showed a good example of a person who knows how to revive the old traditions of their culture, and who always points out that there is still good in doing the things that they used to do in the past. The thing is the character of Thomas is so much more tainted with the past than the present, and he does not welcome any changes that could have or should have made for life to be more meaningful, as well as progressive. However, Victor manifests the person who knows how to live in the present and welcomes the only permanent thing in the world, which is change. In terms of culture, Thomas himself represents the culture that he even describes as insignificant for the present and the future. There is this plot of the story that everyone who surrounds him feels like Thomas is crazy, and so they do not want to hear his stories anymore. Nevertheless, Thomas’ character never abandons the old tradition, even the telling of stories and lessons behind every story. He represents the substantial root of culture, which is to honor it. Thomas mainly presents the idea of renewing the old traditions and reviving the old beliefs. On his character, he showed a belief that old cultural practices still play a vital role in one’s life and that renewing them can unite people. Generally, the two characters on the text want to show that the cultural heritage is still relevant in their lives. Victor, who focuses on what is happening in the modern world, does not see the use of his cultural heritage; instead he chooses to adapt new practices. Also, he represents a person who believes that moving forward and letting go of the past are much better than reviving the old heritage. Meanwhile, Thomas sees the good in what is on the history. He portrays the character of a person who wants to point out that the past still can influence people in the modern world. Reviving the old cultures and heritage is not a waste of time. Abandoning old practices cannot help their community to develop and become united. Hence, the two of them are clearly opposite. The distinctions between these two different characters--Victor and Thomas--can manifest the two kinds of people in their society. They showed a different philosophy with regard to the significance of valuing cultural heritage. The death of Victor’s father is just a key to open two dimensions that lead to two different perspectives and whether the value of cultural heritage outweighs the idea of adapting the changes of the modern world. Family traditions are extremely valuable to Thomas since he always shares them and reflects from them. For instance, he always mentioned honoring his father and mother. Further, he is still doing old practices, such as telling stories of his visions. On the other hand, Victor’s character as well depicts a good persona but certainly portrays the contemporary perspectives of a modern person. Albeit his character is too transparent that shows no value in cultural heritage, he portrays a character that realizes the essence of old traditions but sees no point in practicing them in today’s modern world. Thus, the “This Is What It Means to say Phoenix, Arizona” shows one significant factor that connects the two different characters, which is the cultural heritage. Read More