In the short story "This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona" the author Sherman Alexie reveals the core of community. The author shows that no matter how much we want to be self-reliant, no one is truly alone. The characters give and receive assistance from others, who give out of a sense of friendship and community. .
Victor the main character; has lost his job, has no money and learns that his father has died. He appears to be isolated from his extended family, " his family didn't have any use at all for him" (206). His mother is ".just as poor as he was." (206) Victor is a man who has no one to rely on.
There are people there to help however; he calls the tribal council and requests aid to retrieve his father's effects. The council assist's Victor from a sense of community. The council is having a " difficult time financially" (206) and doesn't have much, but they give him one hundred dollars and remark to him "we"re sure there is someone- (206) someone for him to rely on for further assistance. .
Enter Thomas Builds-the-Fire who is an outcast on the reservation. He is a "storyteller whom nobody wanted to listen to" (206). Victor and Thomas were once childhood friends who grew apart. Thomas offers to help Victor go get his father's belongings on the condition " You have to take me with you."(207) Victor goes home to think about it and comes to the conclusion that ".He needed Thomas Builds-the-Fire." (208) Victor agrees to take Thomas with him to Phoenix realizing that he needs someone, and Thomas is there for him.
Upon arrival in Phoenix, they take a taxi to Arnold Josephs trailer. Victor warns Thomas that the trailer would not smell nice and says that he need not go inside. Thomas helps Victor search the trailer for anything of sentimental value anyway. It is important to note that one of their finds was a photo album. This is a physical catalogue of a person's life, and a connection for Victor to his father.