The Red Convertible

Debra Logan

English 2110.01I

Mrs. Salter Dromm

Essay 1 Outline

29 Feb 2012

Brotherly Love in Louise Erdrich’s The Red Convertible

Introduction

The short story the red convertible has some important elements which are fundamental in supporting and developing the central theme of brotherhood. First of all the reader will see the lesson that the author intends to give through the road trip and secondly they will be persuaded on how the war had an effect on relationships as seen through Henry and Lyman.

Discussion

At the heart of "The Red Convertible'' is the relationship between Lyman and Henry. Lyman's reason for telling the story is to embrace and preserve his brother's memory. Because the story is told from Lyman's point of view, the reader has no direct insight into Henry's thoughts and feelings. His words and actions, however, indicate that he loved his brother very much and valued their relationship. When he prepared to leave to serve in the Vietnam War he wanted to give his younger brother the car that had brought them so much happiness. Presumably, he did not know whether he would survive, and he wanted his brother to become more independent. This may also explain the infrequency of his letters home. After he came home from the war, he was a different man. When Lyman intentionally damaged the car so that Henry would have to fix it, Henry understood what Lyman was trying to do for him. Rather than respond with anger or resentment, he fixed the car so that Lyman would have it. That Henry apparently committed suicide when he was alone with Lyman suggests that Lyman was the only person Henry truly trusted and the only person with whom he was willing to share this tragic moment.

Initially, Henry is seen as an easy-going, funny, carefree young man. After spending three years fighting in Vietnam, however, he was a very different person. Describing Henry after the war, Lyman remarks: When he came home ... Henry was very different, and I'll say...