The Red Convertible

by Louise Erdrich

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Bonita
Bonita is Lyman and Henry's only sister. She was eleven years old when Henry passed away. On the day Henry died, Bonita captured a photograph of Lyman and Henry just before they took the car out for a drive.

Henry Lamartine, Jr.
Henry was Lyman's older half-brother. He is characterized by his large, muscular build and strong profile. The story begins in 1974, with Henry already deceased. Lyman recounts various experiences they shared before Henry's death. Henry had an impulsive nature, often embarking on trips without any plans and even agreeing to take a hitchhiker all the way to Alaska. He was a confident man, known for his sense of humor and easy-going personality.

Henry enlisted in the Marines to serve in the Vietnam War. When he returned three years later, he was a changed man—jumpy, silent, moody, and detached, rarely laughing or smiling. To try to uplift Henry's spirits, Lyman damaged the car so Henry would have something to fix. Henry realized what Lyman had done but repaired the car anyway to give it back to Lyman. On the day Henry died, he was smiling, joking, and talkative, making Lyman believe Henry was back to his old self. That night, however, Henry walked into the river and was swept away. Whether this act was a suicide is left to the reader's interpretation.

Lyman Lamartine
Lyman narrates the story. He is a young Chippewa man living on a reservation with his family. He recounts the time when he and his older half-brother Henry co-owned a red Oldsmobile convertible. Lyman had a typical younger brother's admiration for his older sibling, and he cherished the moments they spent together. He was financially savvy, which allowed him to afford part ownership of the car. At fifteen, Lyman began working as a dishwasher at the Joliet Cafe, eventually becoming part owner and then sole owner by the age of sixteen. Although the cafe was later destroyed by a tornado, his brief success enabled him to purchase the car with Henry.

When Henry left to fight in the Vietnam War, Lyman remained hopeful. He took care of the car so that they could enjoy it together upon Henry's return. Lyman naively believed his brother would come back unchanged, but when he saw the profound changes in Henry, he remained sensitive to his brother's feelings. Lyman's selfless nature is evident in how he treated Henry and his efforts to bring joy back into his brother's life. Despite Henry's emotional distance, Lyman always felt a deep connection to him.

Lyman and Henry's Mother
Very little is mentioned about the mother of Lyman and Henry. She tries her best to handle Henry's brooding mood after he comes back from the war. During the events of the story, she is unmarried, though she has had several marriages in the past.

Susy
Susy is a hitchhiker that Lyman and Henry pick up during a summer-long road trip, which Lyman reminisces about in the story. She is a petite Native-American girl. When she expresses a desire to return home to Alaska, the brothers agree to take her there. Her family greets them warmly, and Lyman and Henry stay with them until the weather becomes cold.

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