The+Red+Convertible

Narrator – Lyman Brother – Henry

Summary: Henry and Lyman got a nice car but then Henry went to war and when he came back he was serious and weird and only watched T.V. all day. Lyman wrecked the car to get the old Henry back to come fix it and maybe they can ride around in the red convertible again. When Henry saw the demolished car, he raged. Henry fixed the car by himself. Once the car was all fixed Henry took Lyman to go for a ride down to the river. Henry tells Lyman that he knew Lyman messed the car up but he didn't seem to be really upset. Lyman said how Henry isn't the same anymore, so they got into a fight and then laugh about it afterwords. Henry goes for a swim in the raging river then drowns. He claimed the boots he was wearing were filling up with water and he wasn't able to swim or keep his face above the surface of the water. Lyman jumps in after him but doesn’t find him so he drove the car into the river so cars' soul died along with Henrys'.

Symbols: Car – brotherhood – they can fix it together, enjoy it together, there’s a strong bond, dedication to car is like dedication to brotherhood. Without his brother the car is pointless.

Why did Henry change? – He was at war for 3 years and it probably changed the way he looked at life. He got more disciplined and more traumatized from all deaths. Its like shell shock, and they have reoccurring images of mad or sad memories of the war.

Final Scene: Possible suicide? Henry said “got to cool me off” – probably meant I have to end it or start with a clean slate, even though Lyman thought it was related to the heat.


 * Words to Know from the story:**

bouquets- a bunch of flowers put together into a nice arrangement. bankroll- a roll of paper money. portage- carrying of a boat or cargo between two navigable waters. repose- temporarily rest from activity. pastures- land cover with grass. muffler- wrap or cover in warmth. tacked- a small sharp nail.