by Katheryn Markle

Created on: April 25, 2009

In Louise Erdich's realistic story "The Red Convertible," the narrator is Lyman Lamartine, younger brother of Henry ( Junior), the protagonist. Lyman describes his memory of the relationship between Henry, himself, and a red Olds convertible they purchased together on a whim. As the yarn unfolds, so does the evidence that Henry's spirit is breaking, never to return to the days of carefree life with Lyman by his side. After Henry enters the military and becomes a prisoner of war, the effect on his character is quite profound.

For instance, Henry used to be calm, but now he is restless. Lyman remembers the times when Henry "sat for whole afternoons, never moving a muscle" (936). Of course, anyone who enters the military and experiences combat will not remain calm, but Henry must have really seen a lot of horror because "the change was no good" (936). Henry's unusual moods disturb Lyman, upsetting his emotions. This brother does not seem much like the one that used to spend quality time with him, calm and carefree, sharing the red Olds. "It was a fact. Henry had become jumpy and mean" (936).

Another example of the change in Henry is in his sense of humor and laughter. Lyman recalls happier times when Henry was full of fun and cheer. "He'd always had a joke, then too, and now you could not get him to laugh" (936). Lyman admires his brother's wittiness, yearning for the good times they used to have together, such as the time Henry said, "Jump on my shoulders" (935), to Suzy, a friend of theirs. When she does jump on him, she swings her long hair from side to side as Henry "started twirling this way and that so that her hair flung from side to side" (935). Lyman sees humor in "the way he did it" (935). Henry is no longer a playful man, though, and Lyman wishes he could change this about his brother. When Henry does make any attempt at laughter, he does it "more like the sound of a man choking, a sound that stopped up throats of other people around him." (935). Henry's ability to clown around is lost.

Likewise, Henry's appalling experience in the army makes him overreact to stimuli. Lyman buys a colored television while Henry is away and he "was sorry I ever bought it though because of Henry" (936). Henry sat watching the set "and that was the only time he
was completely still. But it was the kind of stillness that you see in a rabbit when it freezes and before it will bolt" (936). Lyman tells how his victimized brother struggles to keep himself in the chair without

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>