This Is What It Means to Say “friendship”
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This Is What It Means To Say “Friendship”
In Sherman Alexies “This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona” a man named Victor finds out that his father has passed away. Victor is responsible for gathering his fathers assets together, which requires him to make an out of town trip. In order to accomplish this Victor needs help. This help comes from the town outcast and former best friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire. Victor and Thomas were childhood best friends but as they grew older, Victor turned his back on the one that always looked out for him. A trip to gather his fathers remains turns into a journey of reviewing his life and choices, learning the value of a true friendship.
Shortly after losing his job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Victor is informed of his fathers death. Although they havent had contact in years, Victor is left responsible to claim the cremated remains as well as his fathers truck and savings account. The remains are in Phoenix, Arizona and Victor lives on an Indian Reservation near Spokane, Washington. The trip is over 2000 km and Victor has no money to get there. He turns to the tribal counsel for financial assistance. Unfortunately all they will give him is one hundred dollars. This isnt near enough to make it. Almost everyone on the reservation is financially struggling, so borrowing money is not an option. With no one to lend him the funds required, Victor knows he needs a miracle.
While at the reservation post office, to cash his one hundred dollar check, Victor spots Thomas-Builds-the-Fire standing by a rack of magazines. Thomas is the town outcast and he helps to fulfill that “role” by constantly talking to himself. Thomas and Victors friendship came to an end due to a drunken fight, at least thats what Victor thought for a good amount of time. Thomas, on the other hand, forgave Victor and still held onto the friendship between them. Thomas can see through Victors pride when he declines his offer to help with the financial situation for the trip. Only a true friend can see something like that.
I was certain about Thomas friendship up until he says he made a deal with Victors father to watch over Victor. Does this mean without the father, the friendship was long gone? I dont think so. The scene on the plane shows the playful and fun relationship that the