When I read this story it reminded me a lot about a story we previously covered, Stones! In fact the two stories are quite similar.
The Red Convertible is a short story written by Louise Erdrich. Let me tell you a little bit about the author before I give my opinion. She is an author of novels, poems and children's books featuring Native American heritage. "She is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant writers of the second wave of what critic Kenneth Lincoln has called the Native American Renaissance." -Wikipedia. She is also the owner of birchbark books, a small book store located in Minneapolis.
Now back to this story! I found this story an easy read, enjoying Stones as much as I did this story became an enjoyment. This story too tells of two young Native Americans and how one of their lives were greatly impacted by war. Lyman & Henry were the best of friends growing up on a reserve. She breaks the stereotypical outlook on natives in this story, which isn't easy to do but she done it! They both were doing well in life, Lyman owned a restaurant and was doing well with his life, and Henry too was doing well. In 1970 Henry decides to go to war however Lyman doesn't want to because of how well home life is going (I don't blame him, war is a scary thing!). After returning from the war you could easily see that Henry was no longer the happy go lucky person he once was. He now instead was depressed and nothing could make him happy, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder isn't an easy thing to face. Lyman being the good friend he is attempts to do everything to make him feel better, but nothing works! The story ends with Henry and Lyman on the on a cliff. Henry is intoxicated and decides it would be beneficial to jump into the water to cool off. He didn't come back up. Lyman tries to saves Henry but doesn't succeed, he then pushes the convertible in with Henry, this is the end of the story.
Sometimes life isn't the easiest thing to go through, and people who risk their lives for their country as I said in an earlier blog need to receive respect for what they did for us. It takes a true patriotic human to serve their country, and not only is it hard during the war but as you see it has a huge impact on the person after the war too!
Excellent. I'd like to point out that some of the things you've stated aren't 100% correct, but pretty much spot on! For example, Henry became drunk and jumped into the river to "cool off" and drowned, and after Lyman's failed attempt to save him, he pushed the car into the river to die with Henry. I agree though this story was one of the better ones we read. It definitely gave a good feel for the afterlife of people who went to the war. Thanks for the read!
ReplyDeletethanks ill add that into my post :)
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