User talk:UCD Eng3

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Louise Erdrich; The Red Convertible

Please consider creating a new article on this subject that can be cross-referenced in the Louise Erdrich main article. You will see that a number of her other writings have full articles of analysis but that her main page is a summary and synopsis of her career. For your convenience, I am reproducing your entire contribution to the main article on this subject so you can relocate it to the proper place when you have created the new article. Elcajonfarms (talk) 03:15, 30 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Red Convertible

The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich was written in 1984. It is the 2nd chapter of her debut novel, The Love Medicine. The story tells about two Native American brothers, Henry and Lyman, whose relationship with time begins to deteriorate. The red convertible serves as a symbolic representation of how the brother’s relationship begins to slowly dwindle away.

"The Red Convertible" Analysis:

In The Red Convertible written by Louise Erdrich, the author uses the red convertible as a physical object to parallel Henry’s emotions, and demonstrates this using various forms of text, writing structure, and language. A character in a piece of writing can range from a simple object with significant meaning in some cases, to an individual that has unique characteristics and qualities. In this short story, Henry is definitely one of the most vital characters, however, the red convertible is as well because of how the author uses this object to bring Henry’s attitude into a visible manner.

In the beginning of the story, Lyman and Henry take the money that they earned and bought a red Oldsmobile together. “We were walking down Portage anyway, seeing the sights, when we saw it. There it was, parked, large as life. Really as if it was alive. I thought of the word repose, because the car wasn’t simply stopped, parked, or whatever. That car reposed, calm and gleaming, a FOR SALE sign in its left front window. “(Pg. 360) Not only were Henry and Lyman bonding, the car they found was perfect. It was luxurious, and they were in awe. Similarly, Henry, along with his relationship with Lyman was alive and vivacious. At this point, Henry was sporadic and enjoyed Lyman’s company. “We went places in that car, me and Henry. We took off driving all one whole summer. ..Some people hang on to details when they travel, but we didn’t let them bother us and just lived our everyday lives here to there.” (Pg. 360) Although this was just a car, it symbolized Henry’s state of mind, which in turn led to his relationship with his brother.

Edrich reflects the emotional transformation of Henry to the red convertible in both positive and negative forms. Before the war draft, Henry and Lyman share many unforgettable memories, building a strong structure for an unbreakable relationship. Henry's physical well-being and mental happiness is conveyed by the car's "almost perfect shape" (362) condition. However, as Henry returns home from war emotionally damaged, Henry's pain is seen through the harm inflicted upon the red convertible when Lyman “Whacked it up. Ripped the muffler loose. [...] [He] made it look just as beat up as [he] could” (364).

“I walk back to the car…watch it plow softly into the water… it is all finally dark.” (367). Erdrich parallels Lyman’s sacrificial act of releasing the car into the river with the release of Henry and Lyman’s relationship. Together they enable each other to escape reality and disconnect with relationships and the future. Once Lyman breaks free from the “Red Convertibles” grasp, he is able to grow and reconnect the pieces of his life. The strong, nonchalant language and simple sentence structure illustrates an understanding and maturity in Lyman and further emphasizes the powerful role the symbol of the “red convertible” has over the story, the characters’ lives, and the reader’s opinions. Just as it was the red convertible that kept the brother’s unbreakable bond together, it was the car that separated their lives with each other. Without the entirety- Lyman, Henry, and the car- Lyman is able to take back control and begin to fill in the gaps of his life. Their disillusioned world drowns with Henry and the car, and thus, Lyman is able to grow and become a better person. Without this vital symbol, the reader would not fully grasp Lyman's emotional road and understand what he truly has to endure. ^[1]

^ Erdrich, Louise. “The Red Convertible”. Literature: A Portable Anthology. Ed. Gardner, Lawn, Ridl, and Schakel. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 359-367.

[1] Erdrich, Louise. “The Red Convertible”. Literature: A Portable Anthology. Ed. Gardner, Lawn, Ridl, and Schakel. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 359-367.

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