In this story by Sherman Alexie a young Native-American man enlists the help of a boyhood friend he had grown away from to go on a road trip to bring back his father’s ashes. The focus of the story is the relationship between the two, and how it reflects growing individual and cultural disconnection among tribal Native-Americans. The other man’s help is not in recognition of their former friendship, but rather out of obligation for a deed of kindness once performed by the dead man. Themes include poverty, storytelling, friendship, alienation, loneliness, forgiveness, decline of Native-American culture.
The decline of culture theme is reflected in the way Thomas Builds-the-Fire is treated by the tribe. His mystical visions and talent for inventing stories make him a laughing stock, whereas in the distant past he may held a revered position as a tribal seer and storyteller.
This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona Text / PDF (3,950 words)