Symbolism in the Red Convertible Essay

Being an outsider is a common experience that can be difficult for people to overcome and describe. “The Red Convertible” is a good example of an outsider and can breakdown what it’s like to be in this social status. This short story shows Henry’s transition to becoming an outsider, and all the changes that occur to him differentiates an insider from an outsider. Henry is seen by his younger brother, Lyman, as a best friend at first, then becomes an outsider to him once he returns from the army because of his change in behavior due to the experiences he had in war. Henry begins to depict socially unacceptable behavior and he quickly changes the mood of the

The color red symbolics all of the colors and how each can have numerous emotions coming

In "The Red Convertible," by Louise Erdrich, the red convertible symbolizes the brothers relationship at different stages through the story. In the story Erdrich uses specific actions of the brothers to show change in their relationship, which corresponds with the red convertible. Erdrich uses scenes involving the red convertible to show different stages of the brothers relationships. The story begins with a road trip representing the boys closeness, then precedes onto Lyman beating up the red convertible symbolizing the brothers separation. Erdrich then continues the story with Henry giving the red convertible to Lyman representing their reunion. The story finishes when Lyman runs the red

Today’s society has many different associations for the color red. Red is most often paired with intensity, anger, and aggression. Red is often times a standout color, not modest at all. Policemen are told that when radaring, they should look for red cars first because

The car is one of the most important elements that develops and supports the theme brotherhood. The car is a symbol that is meant to show Lyman and Henry’s close bond, and it holds the key to their definitive separation. The red convertible is also a symbol of success, and a connection to the white world for both Henry and Lyman “ I was

“The Red Convertible” is a story of Henry, the American Indian man, about how he was suffering from the experiences at the Vietnam War. The story begins when he and his brother purchased a red convertible car. This story indicates that how cultural ties and the brother’s precious memories helped recover Henry. Actually it is more about the importance of family. By

The relationship of brothers usually lasts forever, but in Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Red Convertible”, the relationship of the main characters Lyman and Henry takes a turn. Erdrich takes her audience through the experiences these brothers face and how they must come to terms that their relationship has changed. Knowing that it will most likely never be the same both Lyman and Henry try to fix their relationship until eventually one falls because of the experiences he faced in life. While Lyman may think the red convertible will save his and Henry’s relationship, Erdrich makes it clear that it will not through the characterization of the brothers, the plot of the story, and the symbolism she uses to tell her story.

“The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich is a short story about two Native American brothers, Lyman and Henry, and their growing bond as brothers. Symbolism is used rather heavily in this story. One of the main symbols of the story, as noted in the title, is the red convertible. The red convertible symbolizes the relationship status of the two brothers, and the struggles they face as Henry is drafted into the Vietnam War as well as when he returns home.

In The Red Convertible, LouiseErdrich uses the red convertible to symbolize the theme of change in two brothers relationship. The changes in the car parallel with the changes the brothers go through. As the car evolves, so does the relationship between Lyman and Henry. The two brothers have a close bond until Henry is sent off to war. Upon his arrival home, the changes in Henry and how he relates to his brother is apparent.

“The Red Convertible” is an interesting story due to its characters, plot, and the general background that the author was motivated by to write this story as well as many of her other works. “The Red Convertible” deals with the relationship between two brothers of the Chippewa Reservation. The story focuses on how their relationship changes over a period of time and discretely how the red convertible car they both bond over reflects those changes in their relationship throughout that period. Sadly, these changes are not good as they focus on the effects Henry Jr. has after he serves in the Vietnam War. Lyman, his younger brother, is also affected and tries many things to help his brother go back to his “regular old-self” but in the end he

Emotional connections between two people can be fortified with an object in which both people can care for and share with one another. In the story “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich, Lyman and Henry have a special bond. This bond is emphasized in the red convertible because it symbolizes the connection that both brothers have with one another. After Henry goes off to war Lyman takes care of the car. Lyman cares for the car as if he were trying to preserve the bond that he and Henry had. Furthermore, Lyman knows to some extent that the bond between his brother and him is fragile because Henry has been gone away to war. The color of the car which is red has a double meaning which includes emotions such as the love that exists between the brothers, but also disaster like war. The war separated them both emotionally and physically, but despite this, at the end, they were able to relive the old days when their bond was at its strongest.

In the Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich, the main character Henry loses his hold on reality. The story takes place in North Dakota on an Indian Reservation where Henry lives with his brother Lyman. Henry and Lyman buy a Red Convertible that later in the story illustrates Henry’s lack of ability to stay sane. The brothers take a summer trip across the United States in the car. When they return, Henry is called to join the army, which turns out to be the transitional point in Henry and Lyman’s personal life. The Vietnam War changed Henry’s appearance, psyche, and his feelings about the Red Convertible.

Colour is a symbolic material in various sections of the film, as it functions as connecting visual and thematic threads which allude to connotations of danger, love, passion shaping her as a dynamic, charismatic character. Lola's fiery red hair highlights her speed, as she nearly runs through the entire movie. There are scenes where Lola and Manni are together and are seemingly illuminating red light, which exhibits their love and passion. The colour red is symbolically used in the film to emphasize certain aspects of Lola's life that are maintained in the use of props. In the beginning, the call to Lola is answered on a red phone, which highlights the urgency of Manni’s call and sets the precedence for the symbolic use of red throughout the movie. The recurring motif of the red ambulance at the end of each run represents urgency and tension. The red accents the rushed plotline, the love between Lola and Manni, and the blood of them both.

Both Erdrich’s, “The Red Convertible”, and O'Brien's, “The Things They Carried” reflect the effects of psychological trauma left by war; specifically, the Vietnam War. In Erdrich’s piece, she uses the red convertible as a metaphor for Henry. The fact that the two brothers purchased the convertible together is a serves to symbolize their bond. Yet, when Henry returns from his tenure as a soldier, his mental health has deteriorated into an apparently depressive state. I believe that Lyman’s act of wrecking the car represents how the war has devastated Henry’s emotional state. In Henry’s attempt to restore the car, he is indirectly trying to mend himself. Indeed we see that in his effort to do so, he exhibits signs indicative of his previous

Other stories, perceived as unrealistic, often are posited so because they contain elements we do not see in the real world; metaphoric fantasy, symbolism, abstractness. These concepts are all based on our own filters of perception – we discern what is historically accurate and what is legend, or myth, based on our position in culture and the lenses which we view ourselves. In “The Red Convertible”, we can see these concepts at play – Lyman, narrating the story of the relationship with his brother Henry, tells a story that flows very effortlessly. Things that happen around him seem to brush off of him, as if they are no big deal.