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

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.
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.

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.

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.

Answer 1

Sherman Alexie characterizes Thomas as a storyteller whose tales illustrate the theme that storytelling shapes and helps people understand their lives, thereby highlighting its important role in tradition, culture, and identity.

In Sherman Alexie's "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona," the character of Thomas is used to communicate one of the story's main themes regarding the significance of storytelling.

Thomas, often seen as an outcast on the reservation due to his role as a storyteller, is not depicted as less intelligent than Victor, but rather as someone who possesses a different kind of wisdom.

Through the stories that Thomas tells and his persistent desire to be heard, Alexie conveys the theme that storytelling is an essential part of human existence, helping people to shape and understand their lives.

It is through Thomas's tales that vital aspects of tradition, culture, and personal identity are explored, demonstrating the inherent value in listening to and sharing stories.