The Red Convertible Essay, Research Paper
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.
Before the Vietnam War, Henry?s appearance was cheerful and energetic. Henry enjoyed the time he had with Lyman, working on the Red Convertible, and traveling across the U.S. during the summer. They went from Little Knife River to Alaska without a worry in the world. Henry was talkative and friendly to even strangers. For example, when they pass a woman on the side of the road Henry says, ?Hop on in?, indicating his friendliness and confidence (975). Henry?s appearance before war suggests that his life was complete.
However, after war, Henry?s appearance was one of depression and dishevelment. When Henry returned Lyman said ?[he] was very different, and I?ll say this: the change was no good (977).? Henry was 180 different than he was before the war. ?He was quiet, so quiet?,? said Lyman, not talkative and cheerful like he was before (977). Henry and Lyman had went on a long trip in the Red Convertible before the war, but now Henry is ?never comfortable sitting still anywhere (977).? They used to sit around the whole afternoon before, but now Henry is always moving or sitting by himself, watching television. He was described by Lyman as being like ?a rabbit when it freezes and before it will bolt? when he would sit in front of the television by himself (977). Every aspect of Henry?s appearance was totally different after the war.
Henry?s mental state also differed before and after the Vietnam War. Henry thought clearly and acted sane before war. When he put his mind to something he accomplished it. Henry interacted well because of his knowledge of cars. Lyman says, ?He was always out with that car? describing the knowledge that Henry had about the car to fix it from the bad condition it was in (978). His mental state was that of any normal person.
After the Vietnam War, Henry was crazy and unstable. For instance, when Henry was watching television and he bit through his lip with blood pouring everywhere (977). The blood was getting on his bread every time he took a bite, but because of his lost ability to think straight Henry doesn?t even flinch as blood pours everywhere. Also, at the end of the story Henry snaps on his brother Lyman. He punches Lyman, which leads to a fight ended by the laughing of Henry (980). During the fight with Lyman, the extent of Henry?s mental changed, to turn on a family member and physically strike him. Henry illustrates how crazy he is when he jumps in to the river all of the sudden to ?cool off?(981). This action by Henry ends his craziness and his life.
Henry?s feeling about the Red Convertible was another change that he underwent before and after war. When he and Lyman first laid eyes on the car for the first time, Henry knew he had to own it. When Henry left, he left the car to Lyman eventhough it was hard for him to leave such a dream of a car behind.
To the surprise of Lyman, right after the Vietnam War Henry never even asked about the car. When Henry returned the same feelings that drove him to get the car were lost at war. ?Henry had not even looked at the car since he?d gotten home,? says Lyman, which was totally opposite of how he used to be. Yet, once Lyman bashed the underside of the car Henry?s feelings soon changed. Henry one day comes home and says, ?the red car looks like *censored*?(978). This one point in the story where Henry?s past actions before war were still there after war, completely surprise Lyman.
As the Red Convertible progresses Henry?s appearance, mental state, and feelings about his once cherished car change because of the Vietnam War. The war had extreme effects on Henry and his brother throughout the story. 57,000 men and women died in Vietnam, and the soldiers that survived suffered the same post-war feelings that Henry did. Seeing death causes every person to change in some way, but when it is as gruesome and seen as repeatedly as some soldiers did, it changed their lives forever.
Другие работы по теме:
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
The Red Convertible As A Symbo Essay
, Research Paper The Red Convertible as a Symbol and Revealing Agent Many writers use symbolism in their stories in order to reveal certain or multiple aspects of the story. Symbols can be anything in a story from an inanimate or animate object to multiple other things. In the short story The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich, the red convertible symbolizes the bond between the two main characters Henry and Lyman.
The Red Convertible Essay Research Paper The
The Red Convertible Essay, Research Paper The Red Convertible is a story that symbolizes thought. It is a story of family as well as culture. It is a story that asks a lot of questions, questions that don t have answers. Did Henry commit suicide? What is the role of the convertible? Many questions, no answers.
Summary Of The Red Convertible Essay Research
Paper 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 an equally important role with that of the characters, but for different reasons.
Erdrich
’s “The Red Convertible” Essay, Research Paper Vanished Brotherhood In the short story “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich, you will find some important elements that are integral to the support and development of the theme brotherhood. First, you will see how the road trip gives a lesson in the story.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Loneliness 2 Essay Research Paper LonelinessLoneliness is
Loneliness 2 Essay, Research Paper Loneliness Loneliness is inherent in the lives of Charlotte, from “Pomegranate Seed,” and Lyman, from “The Red Convertible.” The writers of the stories have their personal experiences built into their work. In addition, the characters from both stories suffered through similar ordeals; they helplessly watched a loved one dissolve like a fading dream.
Clunker Laws Essay Research Paper IntroI Bet
Clunker Laws Essay, Research Paper Intro: I Bet that most all of you like classic cars. I mean, what’s not to like. If it’s not the rumble of a big block underfoot, then it’s the feel of the wind in your hair when you drive your restored 1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible. It’s manly, it’s American, it’s just plain cool to be seen in any of the muscle car era vehicles.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Stalin His Life Essay Research Paper No
Stalin His Life Essay, Research Paper No man more fully epitomized this era than Joseph Stalin did. As political, economic, and social leader, Joseph Stalin has emotionally, physically, psychologically, politically, economically, and socially affected Russia even to this day.
Man Vs. Animal Animal Vs. Man
Essay, Research Paper I stalk My Prey. I am the master of the world. I sense everything. My eyes can see the fleas on an animal’s back two hundred metres away.
Doing Business With The Former Soviet Republic
Essay, Research Paper CASE 1.2 Doing Business with the Former Soviet Republic 1.FACTS - as managers become aware of all the different people with old U.S.S.R., U.S. businesses are realizing that they face not just one but fifteen or more new markets opening themselves to western trade.
Innocence
& Experience Essay, Research Paper Innocence to Experience Innocence and experience helps to raise questions in the readers mind to expand the focus on the concepts by the author. Most people develop beliefs through many sources such as media, personal observations, experiences, friends, or teachers.
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
JFK Essay Research Paper The tragedy I
J.F.K Essay, Research Paper The tragedy I will discuss is the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy . President Kennedy was the 35 th President of the United States .He was born in 1917 in Brookline , Massachusetts . He was the second of 9 children , born to wealthy parents .
School Essay Research Paper School Where
School Essay, Research Paper School! Where did they come up with that name? I guess because it rhymes with lame Now this rhyme you read will be quite corny Please don’t get upset, mad, or horny
Private Schools VS Public Schools Essay Research
Paper Private Schools VS. Public Schools Parents often wonder how to start off their children?s education. Depending on ones religion or beliefs a private or public school is a choose most parents face. Of course, each school offers it?s own pros and con?s the choice is simple. Public schools offer the best well rounding of a student.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time