Prompt 1 Q&A: “What is the significance of illustrating Victor and Thomas Builds-the-Fire’s relationship in relation to Victor’s current circumstances and conflict?

 The topic of “Frenemies” within literature is complex and dynamic, and this is especially prevalent in Sherman Alexie’s “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona”, while examining Victor’s and Thomas Builds-The-Fire’s relationship and actions towards each other. The two aren’t exactly friends yet they aren’t quite enemies either; the simple definition of a frenemy. However, their relationship is much broader than the confination to a set term; it was more complex than that. The nature of complexity in their relationship is what provides much significance in relation to the plot of the story. 

Both Victor and Thomas seemed to have initially been close friends when they were younger; this being because they have bonded over their identities as Native Americans. This bond and connection with Native Identity however, over time emerged into tension for Victor, and this is evident during his first flashback with Thomas; "You know," Thomas said. "It's strange how us Indians celebrate the Fourth of July. It ain't like it was our independence everybody was fighting for." "You think about things too much," Victor said. "It's just supposed to be fun. (Alexie; 3) The two soon ended their friendship after Victor’s physical fight with Thomas, which seemed to have happened for no apparent reason. Thomas is viewed as a symbol of Native American Identity, being a storyteller as this is an important principle of the culture. It’s also implied that Victor has likely found a need to “fit in”outside of his identity as a Native American; the implications coming from the stigma associated with talking and being around Thomas. “Nobody talked to Thomas because he told the same damn stories over and over again. Victor was embarrassed, but he thought that Thomas might be able to help him.”  (Alexie; 2)

Victor’s current circumstances involve dealing with his father’s death and traveling to Arizona to give him a proper burial. While Victor’s relationship with his father wasn’t that strong, he still felt connected to him somehow; “Victor hadn't seen his father in a few years, only talked to him on the telephone once or twice, but there still was a genetic pain” (Alexie; 1). Additionally, it is revealed later that Thomas also had a special connection to Victor’s father; “For a long time I was mad because I thought my dreams had lied to me. But they didn't. Your dad was my vision. Take care of each other is what my dreams were saying. Take care of each other." (Alexie; 8). Furthemore, Thomas initially agreed to help Victor with his father’s death simply because of this connection he’d had; "I came because of your father." (Alexie; 9). What this provides to Victor is a reflection point on his relationship with Thomas later in the story. This collective attachment both of the men have towards Victor’s father provide an important point of reference into how the trip to Arizona was a turning point in their relationship.

Moreover, the countless flashbacks Victor has throughout also allude to memories he shared with Thomas when they were younger. I believe the purpose of these flashbacks not only help illustrate the dynamic to the reader but also provide Victor with recollections of his old memories. Many of these flashbacks have recurring undertones of Native American Identity; focusing on the reserve school events or on Thomas’ storytelling, etc. Over the course of the journey and Thomas and Victor working together to pay service to Victor’s father, Victor seems to reflect over these flashbacks in relation to his identity and by the end of the journey the narrative reveals his sense of internal conflict in relation to this:

“Victor knew that Thomas would remain the crazy storyteller who talked to dogs and cars, who listened to the wind and pine trees. Victor knew that he couldn't really be friends with Thomas, even after all that had happened. It was cruel but it was real. As real as the ashes, as Victor's father, sitting behind the seats. 

"I know how it is," Thomas said. "I know you ain't going to treat me any better than you did before. I know your friends would give you too much shit about it." 

Victor was ashamed of himself. Whatever happened to the tribal ties, the sense of community? The only real thing he shared with anybody was a bottle and broken dreams. He owed Thomas something, anything.” (Alexie; 12)

Essentially, it can be inferred that Victor has a struggle within his identity as a Native American, as he questions what happened to his sense of community as a Native. Additionally, he seems to superimpose this tension onto Thomas and likely feels disinclined to associate with him due to his symbolic and literal nature as a storyteller. When he realizes this, he seems to want to make amends to the tension between their strained relationship, and because Victor’s father was an individual important to the both of them, he offers half his ashes to Thomas. In return, Thomas requests that just once Victor would listen to one of his stories, to which Victor accepts and the reader is left to interpret the resolution of their relationship. While it wasn’t exactly fully resolved, we can infer that the course of this journey was meant to explore their relationship as “frenemies”. Overall, Victor’s father’s death was meant not only as a physical journey but a journey to make amends to each other within their friendship and try to resolve the conflict Victor held.