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A Brother's Love

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Submitted By chammers13
Words 1070
Pages 5
Christopher Hammers 2/9/13 English 102
A Brother’s Love “The Red Convertible”, written by Louise Erdrich, is a story about the relationship between two brothers Henry and Lyman. Henry and Lyman are Native Americans of the Chippewa tribe who live on a reservation. The story takes place over about a six year span somewhere between 1967- 1975, starting when Lyman is about fifteen. Henry is a few years older than Lyman but much bigger. The two brothers were always together growing up, doing everything with one another. Once Henry goes off to the Vietnam War, however, he returns a shadow of himself and is distant to Lyman. The relationship between Henry and Lyman is tested but Lyman’s love for his brother, and more importantly his loyalty to Henry, is displayed throughout all the conflict and is emphasized in the resolution.
Lyman is Henry’s younger brother and, like any younger brother, he looks up to Henry. They do everything together and Lyman wouldn’t have it any other way. One summer they get a ride up to Winnipeg and decide to buy a red convertible to drive home in. Henry and Lyman travel free; nothing can bother them or bring them down. They meet a girl who needs a ride to Alaska, so they drive her and stay the summer laughing, dancing, and just living. Lyman loves traveling with Henry and seeing him laugh and dance. Lyman is genuinely happy. However, once they return from their trip Henry goes off to the Vietnam War.
Lyman stays loyal to Henry during his time at war. Henry and Lyman write letters to each other but eventually Henry stops writing back. “I wrote him back several times, even though I didn’t know if those letters would get through.”(360). Lyman can’t bring himself to stop writing letters to Henry. He has to hold on to the idea that Henry is alive and is receiving all the letters. Lyman also fixes up the red convertible while

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