An Analysis Of Louise Erdrich s The Red Convertible

Mailk Sims Often times, an inanimate object can be as important and sometimes more important than the characters of the story. In Louise Erdrich s The Red Convertible, the car played the same important role as the characters did, but for different reasons. Two brothers, Lyman and Henry, had very little in common other than their blood. One day they decided to catch a ride to Winnipeg. The car was introduced while these two were doing some sightseeing in the city. They spotted the red Oldsmobile convertible. Lyman, the storyteller, almost made the car a living thing when he said, There it was, parked, large as life. Really as if it were alive. (461) The brothers used all of the money they had, less some change for gas to get home, to buy the car. The car s significance was the bond that it created between the brothers. The purchase of the vehicle brought these two together with a common interest: the car. Once the bond was formed, the brothers became inseparable, at least for a while . The boys spent the whole summer in the car. They explored new places; met new people and furthered the bond that the car had created. When they returned from their trip, Henry was sent to war. He left the car with Lyman. While Henry was gone, Lyman spent his time pampering and fixing the car. Lyman saw the car as an extension of Henry. Lyman used the car to maintain an emotional bond with his brother who was thousands of miles away. During the war, Henry was taken P.O.W. and spent timeShow MoreRelatedThe Red Convertible By Louise Erdrich931 Words   |  4 Pages In the short story â€Å"The Red Convertible,† by Louise Erdrich, there are multiple literary devices used throughout. However, Erdrich most commonly utilizes theme and symbolism. She uses certain themes throughout most of her work, as noted by Keri L. Overall in a literary analysis. â€Å"Indeed, the themes of Erdrich’s stories range from the effects of war on families and personal identity to loss of heritage and family and personal relationships.† Erdrich also employs the use of symbolism in this story