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 also plays as a symbol by revealing the characters, plot and the central conflicts of the story.
             The main characters in the story are two Native American brothers named Henry and Lyman. The story is told in first person narration by the main character, Lyman. The two brothers purchase a red convertible together with their own hard earned money. They seem to do everything together and the car is always there. Things start off good and pleasant in the story. Once things go sour the red convertible is what helps them bring things as close as possible to how they once were. The red convertible lasts all the way through the story just as the bond between the two brothers last.
             Other then symbolizing the bond between the two characters the red convertible lets the readers know a little bit about each character. The red convertible reveals the change in Henry's character from before he leaves for war to when he returns. Before Henry leaves to go to war he is an outgoing young man and the red convertible is described as, "...large as life... as if it was alive..." After returning from the war Henry is messed up mentally and for a while is not associated with anything other then a television. Once Lyman intentionally messes up the car the author associates the messed up red convertible with the messed up state of mind that Henry is in. In this same part of the story the red convertible reveals the sacrifice Lyman is willing to take to get his brother back. He ruins the car he helped purchase in ...