Most, if not all, writings contain seemingly minor detail with significant information. In Louise Eldrich’s “The Red Convertible,” protagonist Lyman recalls his memory under the willow trees. Lyman says, “under those trees… it was comfortable.” (127) Despite the indian festival powwow going on right in front of him, Lyman says that “it was quiet.”(127) After saying this, Lyman’s brother Henry wakes up and the story rapidly flows. This brief recall of Lyman’s experience, however, can be interpreted in two symbolic ways. One way, the willow tree can symbolize the red convertible and the powwow, the outside world. Inside the red car, two brothers, Henry and Lyman, seems as if there is nothing to be afraid of. The brothers “took off driving all one whole summer.”(127) In the red convertible, Henry and Lyman are not afraid of visiting unfamiliar places, like Alaska, or meeting strangers, like Susy. Just as if the willow trees’ “branches bend down all around [Lyman] like a tend or a stable,” the red convertible provided this protection to both Henry and Lyman. Inside the car, Henry and Lyman feels as if the world is peaceful and quiet no matter what is going on outside the car. …show more content…
Both Lyman and Henry lived their entire life under the protection of sweet home. Naturally, the two brothers are not aware of the reality of war. Instead of melancholy atmosphere, playful teasing of Henry’s “Indian nose”(128) fills out the general atmosphere of the house when Henry leaves the house. However, Henry moving out of the willow tree gives him an insight of the reality of the powwow, the war. Just as Lyman being able to see the powwow inside the branches of willow trees, both brothers are aware of the war in their house. Yet, not one of them actually felt the ugly side of war directly. Thus, they are ignorant of the loud noise that the war, the pow wow,