Red Convertible
The story, “The Red Convertible”, by Louise Erdrich is narrated by Lyman Lamartine. The story embarks on two Native American brothers named, Lyman and Henry. The setting is based on a reservation named Chippewa in North Dakota. The brothers have a great bond. Henry is a comical brother who seems to have a great sense of humor. Lyman is an entrepreneur; he knows how to make money. One day the brothers decide to buy a red convertible olds. The convertible, which the brothers share, seems to bring the brothers closer.
Upon purchasing the convertible the boys take a trip that last until the middle of summer. The boys have a great trip together traveling to different states. During the trip, the brothers remince on past memories. After the trip, Henry is enlisted into the marines. Three years after being deployed to Vietnam, Henry isn’t the same person. Henry who was once the loving, joyful brother is now distant and quiet. Henry is now described as, “jumpy and mean.” After returning from Vietnam, Henry doesn’t even mention the convertible that the brothers once shared. Lyman feels that the only thing that can bring Henry back to his old self is to destroy the convertible. Once Henry sees the car destroyed he gets upset and decides to spend every minute repairing it.
After fixing up the car up the brothers decide to take a trip to the river. Lyman believes that by Henry fixing up the car it will somehow repair their relationship. While sitting by the river, it seems like things go back to how they use to be. The brothers share a moment of joy and laughter. It is until Henry expresses he needs to cool off. Henry goes into the river and says, “my boots are filling” and Henry disappears into the current. Lyman drives the convertible into the water and watches it disappears as Henry did. The convertible describes a lot of symbolism. When the car was first purchased it was new, vibrant, and it made the brothers happy. The condition of the
Upon purchasing the convertible the boys take a trip that last until the middle of summer. The boys have a great trip together traveling to different states. During the trip, the brothers remince on past memories. After the trip, Henry is enlisted into the marines. Three years after being deployed to Vietnam, Henry isn’t the same person. Henry who was once the loving, joyful brother is now distant and quiet. Henry is now described as, “jumpy and mean.” After returning from Vietnam, Henry doesn’t even mention the convertible that the brothers once shared. Lyman feels that the only thing that can bring Henry back to his old self is to destroy the convertible. Once Henry sees the car destroyed he gets upset and decides to spend every minute repairing it.
After fixing up the car up the brothers decide to take a trip to the river. Lyman believes that by Henry fixing up the car it will somehow repair their relationship. While sitting by the river, it seems like things go back to how they use to be. The brothers share a moment of joy and laughter. It is until Henry expresses he needs to cool off. Henry goes into the river and says, “my boots are filling” and Henry disappears into the current. Lyman drives the convertible into the water and watches it disappears as Henry did. The convertible describes a lot of symbolism. When the car was first purchased it was new, vibrant, and it made the brothers happy. The condition of the