“The Red Convertible.”

Loss of Innocence in Louise Erdrich 's The Red Convertible

In Louise Erdrich 's The Red Convertible , Henry and Lyman , the two main characters , begin in the story as happy-go-lucky young men . However they both experience some significant changes in their lives that change their outlook and replaces their innocence with maturity , and disillusionment . The changes are particularly drastic for Henry , who is affected deeply after being drafted and going through the traumatic experience of the Vietnam War . Henry 's transformation affects Lyman as well , but for different reasons . In this particular

story , Erdrich essentially delivers a subtle message of the destructive aspects of war in the context of everyday life

The story starts with a portrayal of what is perhaps typical carefree nature of youth . Henry and Lyman are very close , and spend much time together , and are happy and carefree . They would sit still "for whole afternoons , never moving a muscle , just shifting our weight along the ground , talking to whoever sat with us , watching things (Erdrich 186 Henry always had a joke at the ready

Their lack of a sense of responsibility is apparent they buy the convertible almost on a whim "before we had thought it over at all , the car belonged to us and our pockets were empty (Erdrich 182 . After buying the car they go exploring aimlessly . At this point they come upon a hitchhiker , a girl named Susy , and they take her to her home in Chicken , Alaska . There they stay for quite a while , and Susy 's family allow them to live right next to their house , in a tent

One day they decide that it was time to go because of the changing season . Before they go Susy shows them her very long hair , which extends beyond her feet . At this point there is another demonstration of how childlike and innocent Henry is . Upon seeing Susy Henry asks her to jump on his shoulders , whereupon he twirls around and says "I always wondered what it was like to have long pretty hair (Erdrich 184

Henry soon leaves for the army , but before he does he gives Lyman his keys to the convertible and tells him that the car is now his . Henry becomes one of the soldiers to fight in the Vietnam War . During this time Lyman , through letters , keeps Henry informed about the car , a symbol of their brotherly bond and their carefree days

The trauma of the war , during which according to Lyman Henry became a prisoner of war , has a terrible effect on Henry . He becomes "jumpy and mean (Erdrich 186 . He is "quiet , so quiet , and never comfortable sitting still anywhere but always up and moving around (Erdrich 186 When he does laugh "it was more the sound of a man choking , a sound that stopped up the throats of other people around him (Erdrich 186 and people started to avoid him

Lyman buys a color television but regrets doing so . The only time that Henry sits...