Louise Erdrich's Short Story 'The Red Convertible'
Landon Mahan
English 1B
9/23/08
Brotherhood and “The Red Convertible”
Family is an essential part to the development of every human life. They are there for guidance, support, and most importantly love. The bond between brothers is a bond that cannot be forged. There are many types of relationships: Husband and wife; Father and son; Mother and daughter; but the bond between brothers is one like no other. In Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Red Convertible,” Lyman and Henry’s relationship will give readers the understanding that time, war, and death will change people, but the bonds of brotherhood cannot be broken.
At the center of “The Red Convertible” is the relationship between two brothers Lyman and Henry. Lyman is the narrator and the story is told from his point of view. Lyman is the younger of the two brothers and like all younger siblings, seemed to have it easier than the rest of the native boys on his reservation. Lyman was different and everyone knew it. Lyman was very smart, and when he saw an opportunity he took it. He was the only …show more content…
It felt was like the good old days, before the war. The brothers went to Red River, to have a good time. Lyman began to feel guilty about messing up the car so he confessed to Henry. Henry knew, and he told Lyman that he had only fixed the car to give it back to his brother. Lyman refused saying “take that car” (Erdich, 817). Lyman could see Henry’s mood change. He really wanted the old Henry back, but he didn’t know what to do or what to say. Henry was hot, “got to cool me off” (Erdich, 817) Henry decided to jump into the river and his boots filled with water. Lyman called for Henry but only heard the sound of the rushing water beneath him. Lyman turned on the cars headlights and let it go gently into the river. This was his way of giving the car to
English 1B
9/23/08
Brotherhood and “The Red Convertible”
Family is an essential part to the development of every human life. They are there for guidance, support, and most importantly love. The bond between brothers is a bond that cannot be forged. There are many types of relationships: Husband and wife; Father and son; Mother and daughter; but the bond between brothers is one like no other. In Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Red Convertible,” Lyman and Henry’s relationship will give readers the understanding that time, war, and death will change people, but the bonds of brotherhood cannot be broken.
At the center of “The Red Convertible” is the relationship between two brothers Lyman and Henry. Lyman is the narrator and the story is told from his point of view. Lyman is the younger of the two brothers and like all younger siblings, seemed to have it easier than the rest of the native boys on his reservation. Lyman was different and everyone knew it. Lyman was very smart, and when he saw an opportunity he took it. He was the only …show more content…
It felt was like the good old days, before the war. The brothers went to Red River, to have a good time. Lyman began to feel guilty about messing up the car so he confessed to Henry. Henry knew, and he told Lyman that he had only fixed the car to give it back to his brother. Lyman refused saying “take that car” (Erdich, 817). Lyman could see Henry’s mood change. He really wanted the old Henry back, but he didn’t know what to do or what to say. Henry was hot, “got to cool me off” (Erdich, 817) Henry decided to jump into the river and his boots filled with water. Lyman called for Henry but only heard the sound of the rushing water beneath him. Lyman turned on the cars headlights and let it go gently into the river. This was his way of giving the car to