AS SHERMAN ALEXIE DEMONSTRATES

IN “THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO SAY

PHEONIX, ARIZONA,” THE NEW
GENERATION OF NATIVE AMERICANS
IS FORGETTING ITS TRADITION; BY
ASSIMILATING INTO MODERN
AMERICA, THEY LOSE THEIR
CONNECTION TO EACH OTHER. THE
ONLY HOPE IS FOR THEM TO
RECOGNIZE THAT, LIKE THE PHOENIX,
“NOTHING STOPS”; IT SIMPLY
CHANGES SHAPE.
A. IN THE STORY, THE NEW
GENERATION OF NATIVE
AMERICANS IS ASSIMILATING INTO
MODERN AMERICA AND
FORGETTING ITS TRADITION
 a. Norma Many Horses—boys
didn’t want to listen to old man
in tipi.
b. Not self-sufficient—live in
HUD houses.
c. Celebrate Fourth of July
B. BY ASSIMILATING INTO MODERN
AMERICA, THEY LOSE THEIR
CONNECTION TO EACH OTHER
a. Thomas’s peers ostracize him
for his power.
b. Victor’s father—leaves the
resdies alone.
c. Council doesn’t seem
compassionate or helpful—
distance themselves from new
generation.
 d. Tone of narrator—not
emotional, not intimate.
C. TRADITION DOESN’T DIE; IT
SIMPLY CHANGES SHAPE.
a. Thomas still carries on the
tradition.
b. Phoenix/Victor’s father’s
ashes.