"The Red Convertible"

When reading Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Red Convertible,” I was struck by several aspects of the author’s writing style. The use of foreshadowing and symbolism made this narrative of two brothers all the more moving, and reinforce the shock of the ending. 

In the beginning of the story, the narrator Lyman references that his brother Henry’s boots fill up. This remark seems out of context in the first paragraph, but in fact foreshadows Henry’s death at the end of the story. When I read the story for the first time, it was clear that there was some sort of ominous ending, but Henry’s death was still somewhat of a shock. After reading it a second time, I saw several instances of foreshadowing, including the sentence in the first paragraph and references to the high tide and sinking objects. The sinister tone I noticed the first time was created by the use of foreshadowing throughout the story. 

The use of the Red Convertible as a symbol for both brotherhood and innocence. While the beginning of the story tells of Henry and Lyman’s youthful adventures with the car, the mood changes after Henry goes to war. His attitude towards life is no longer cheerful, and he walks through life as though he is already dead. He has lost the innocence and freedom that he once had, and his relationship with Lyman has dissolved almost entirely. Lyman attempts to restore his relationship with Henry through the Red Convertible, however he is unsuccessful. The brothers attempt to give the car to one another. Henry tries to let Lyman remain young and innocent, and Lyman tries to return his relationship with Henry back to what it was before the war. However neither can be accomplished, and ultimately, Lyman decides that the car must die with Henry. 

This story was a grave reminder that we cannot return to the past, or regain innocence once it is lost. For me, it also made me realize that we must cherish our relationships while we still have them.