"This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona" Sherman Alexie

“This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”

Sherman Alexie

“Thomas closed his eyes and this story came to him: "We are all given one thing by which our lives are measured, one determination. Mine are the stories which can change or not change the world. It doesn't matter which as long as I continue to tell the stories. My father, he died on Okinawa in World War II, died fighting for this country, which had tried to kill him for years. My mother, she died giving birth to me, died while I was still inside her. She pushed me out into the world with her last breath. I have no brothers or sisters. I have only my stories which came to me before I even had the words to speak. I learned a thousand stories before I took my first thousand steps. They are all I have. It's all I can do."”

In this story, Sherman Alexie explores different perspectives of human nature. He questions what it means to be defined as human beings. His character, Thomas, reflects upon how others view our identities. On one hand, Thomas believes that our identities can not only be defined, but also measured by one element. This passage explains Thomas’ ideas about identity because he talks about his purpose in life. Thomas believes that his only purpose in life is to tell the stories that he has learned over the years. He notes that his father can be defined by his valiant efforts in the Second World War and his mother can be defined by the strength she had to deliver him on her last dying breath. The stories in this passage are significant because they directly correlate to his philosophy on life. On the other hand, Victor chooses to believe that an entire life’s journey works together to define a person. While Thomas only chooses to recount one memory of Victor’s father, Victor’s mind is flooded with memories of him; both good and bad.

I’m scared to think that only one experience defines our entire identity. In some respects, it is so true. When we are talking about other people, we say things like “Oh, you know her! The one with the different accent!” But what if the experience is a bad one? What does this say about human nature? If we realized that only one experience could define us for the rest of our lives, how would we go about living our lives? Would we change our behaviors and attitudes? I find it ironic that Thomas realizes that only one thing defines him but he makes no effort to change that. He knows that he is considered a pariah because he is always telling stories. However, he goes about his day regardless of the fact. He continues to tell his stories, to talk to himself. Does that mean that the way we are perceived by other people makes no difference in how we should live our lives?