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Relationships In The Red Convertible

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The relationship between the brothers in “The Red Convertible” is in direct correlation with the condition of the car. The story takes place throughout the northern and western parts of the United States, as well as Canada, but the story’s central focus is the car. When Henry first goes away to war the relationship is in good standing. The car is also is good condition when Henry leaves for Vietnam. Upon returning from war, their relationship is not where it was when Henry had left. Understandably so, because the experience of war can have the effect of deteriorating personal relationships. Lyman realizes this change in his brother and hopes to mend the relationship by using the red convertible as the means to do so. Henry deals with demons in his own mind as a result from war, and most assuredly brings back with him more than the memories of war. The journey the brothers take in “The Red Convertible” strengthens their bond, only to have it torn apart by the repercussions of Henry going to war. When Henry first embarks on his journey to Vietnam the car is left in good condition, as is the relation between Henry and Lyman. Lyman acknowledges of the car that, “We’d made it most of the trip that summer, without putting up the carhop at all” (Erdrich 326). Upon returning from war the bond between the …show more content…

They take a road trip one summer and have experiences they can share for the rest of their lives. With the draft for the Vietnam war, Henry gets chosen to go. Lyman does not know what the trials of war will ultimately do to his brother. Upon his arrival home Henry is a different man. The things that he loved most in the world felt like nothing but objects now. War has a way about changing someone, and in the red convertible that is evident. It is likely that no bond is strong enough to keep someone who had seen the horror that Henry had

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The powerful words and visuals, such as these presented, bring together an understanding of one’s personal perception of Henry’s state of mind. The red convertible that stands as a mere metaphor for the actuality of the lives that have now drifted from one another. They have changed, and the red convertible did the same. By examining Henry’s actions throughout the course of the story, it can be established that he does indeed suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. at one point in time, Henry was a loving, funny, and respectable human being.

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