Thomas Builds a Fire

Thomas Builds-the-Fire

Thomas Builds-the-Fire, in Sherman Alexie's "This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona," is still connected with his cultures traditions, unlike the main character Victor. Thomas' dreams and beliefs exemplify his connection with nature and their spirits. When Victor's father dies, he runs into Thomas at the trading post. Thomas had known that Victor's father would leave, before anyone else knew (Alexie 250). Thomas runs up to Victor and says, "Victor, I'm sorry about your father." Victor then asks him how he knows of his father's death. Thomas sarcastically responds with, " I heard it on the wind. I heard it from the birds. I felt it in the sunlight. Also, your mother was just in there crying"(250). Although Thomas really finds out because of Victor's mother, he says this with a spiritual feel. Victor remembers small details of when they were friends. One year on the Forth of July. Victor turns to Thomas and asks to tell him a story. He tells a story about two Indian boys who wanted to be warriors; it was impossible to become a warrior in the old way because all the horses were now gone. The two boys decided they would steal a car and drive it to the city. They parked that car in front of the police station and hitch hiked back to the reservation. When they arrived, everyone told them how brave they were (251). Although, this is not how Native Americans became warriors in past times, this is how Native Americans became warriors in modern times. Many people do not act on their dreams like Thomas does." I remember when I had this dream that told me to go to Spokane, to stand by the Falls in the middle of the city and wait for a sign. I knew I had to go there but I didn't have a car. I didn't have a license. I was only thirteen. So I walked all the way, it took me all day, and I finally made it to the falls. I stood there for an hour waiting. Then your dad came walking up. What the hell are you doing here? He asked me. I said, waiting for a vision. Then your father said, all you're going to get here is mugged. So he drove me over to Denny's, bought me dinner, and then drove me home to the reservation. 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" (255). Thomas took action and did what his dreams told him to do, not many people do, his passion, determination, and loyalty to his beliefs show how entwined he is with his traditions. Thomas explains that his father died in World War II, fighting for his country, and his mother died giving birth to him. He has no brothers and no sisters. All he has are his stories. He was born with this gift and he learned more than thousands of stories. They are all he has. Thomas told his stories to everyone and