Analysis Of The Red Convertible

“The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich, is a story of two Native American brothers whom share a deep bond and very close relationship before circumstances start falling apart; throughout the story, the reader learns about Henry’s psychological state. As the narrator, Lyman, informs the reader, they owned a car for the first time “We owned it together until his boots filled with water on a windy night and he bought out my share.” (358) is when a magnificent brotherly can be seen connection. But the time passed by, and their link was breaking apart, because a war situation. Although Henry and Lyman are the main characters, Lyman invests most of the time describing how he feels of Henry’s life before and after he went to war and how the relationship was deteriorating. Henry and Lyman are two brothers which developed a nicely bond whey got the red convertible.

In some Native American cultures the color red means beauty, faith and happiness but sometimes it means blood, violence, and energy. Within the story there were two brothers that loved each other dearly. They had love for each other and everything was great between them. One day Henry lost his job and his brother Lyman had already had money saved up and they went to Winnipeg to get away and there they saw the car, the red convertible. Since both of the brothers were so close, they decided to buy the car.

Conversely, Lyman surmised that the car would always belong to Henry; just like their relationship, the car was important and would always belong to both of them. During Henry’s deployment, Lyman preserved the state of the car, he kept it in immaculate condition while waiting for Henry's return. By spending so much time caring for the car, Lyman in a way was caring for his brother. Little did Lyman know that his brother was going to come back a changed man and t... ... middle of paper ... ...vironment where they can witness the changes in a soldier and horrible mental state for those soldiers with PTSD when they return from war. War affects a person’s relationships with people close to them and their relationships with themselves.

Henry was gone for about three years and during that time Lyman had kept the car in pristine condition because he felt the car belonged to his brother more than it did to him. When Henry returned from war, Lyman noticed he was very different. He didn’t talk much anymore and he couldn’t sit still and seemed always agitated. When people were around Henry and Lyman before, Henry would always crack a joke but now, even his laugh was different.... ... middle of paper ... ...at they settled; and it ultimately became resolved when henry had drowned. The other conflict is internal, man versus self, and occurs when Henry returns from war.

Blood is Thicker Than Water In “The Red Convertible,” Louise Erdrich through her first- person narrator Lyman, creates an unspoken emotional bond between two brothers. This emotional bond between the brothers is not directly spoken to each other, but rather is communicated through and symbolized by “The Red Convertible.” In spite of what appears as a selfless act by one brother, in turn, causes pain in the other brother, as no feelings were communicated. In this case, Lyman explains his version as he takes us through the experiences that he and his brother Henry have with the car. At the beginning of the story, you find that Lyman and Henry are like somewhat typical brothers living on the reservation. Although between the two brothers, Lyman

Although, the red Oldsmobile is the central point of the story, hence the title of the story, the different themes of brotherhood/family, war, and neglect support the Oldsmobile becoming the central point and bringing the story together. One of the themes that support the Oldsmobile being the central point of the story is brotherhood/family “I owned that car along with my brother Henry Junior, We owned it together until his boots filled with water on a windy night and he bought out my share” (Erdrich 358). It shows how close the two brothers were to share a vehicle with each other and be fine with the ownership. The two brothers did not plan on buying the car when they saw it. It was like love at first sight with the boys and a spontaneous decision to purchase the car “That car reposed, calm and gleaming, a FOR SALE

Although Lyman seems to acknowledge this stress in a rather different way than Henry, it is there all the same. Just as Henry tries to give the red convertible up to his brother, Lyman does the same in the end, and pushes it right back to him. The red car represents a bond between the two brothers, and with Henry gone, Lyman can not bear to have it around anymore. Unfortunately, getting rid of the car does not take care of Lyman's pain. Even a long time after Henry's death, Lyman still experiences post-traumatic stress.

He worked all the time and so did I, we let the stress of money and succeeding get to us (Album Page 27). People we said we would keep in contact with we didn’t. It was hard for us to accept affection from others. Mitch realized from talking to Morrie that you to embrace the affections of others, especially family and to cherish the moments you have together (Album Page 93). Mitch puts himself in Morrie 's position and wonders since he did not let others into his life would he keep his composure as well as Morrie did (Album 92).

In the short story Red Convertible, the two brothers, as close as they are, you really never know how someone is or feels or acts unless you truly know what they’ve been through or if you are them and have gone through what they’ve been through. The brothers had always been close they’re whole life, but the split really changes one. in the way he thinks and does things with his people. Lyman and Henry really have a true connection with each other. The car they bought together without really thinking twice about it and they shared it really just shows us that the brothers have a stronger bond than most because they were both broke and, they spent every dollar they had on the car.

As Willy is driving down the road it becomes hard for him to concentrate on the road as he thinks more and more about the good things that had not happened to him. Willy is going home to a wife that loves him very much and two sons who care about him like two sons should even though they have caused a lot of stress on Willy. Once young adults grow up and you get through to them they usually will come around and be a productive considerate member of society. Willy thought long and hard the rest of the twenty minuet drive about nothing but negative things. Willy has a lot of positive things going for him, and at the moment he can’t grasp them.