PTSD has affected millions of people for years now. About 8 million adults suffer with PTSD during a given year (PTSD: National Center for PTSD). Not only does the individual have to live with it, but so do those who love them. In the short story “The Red Convertible” written by Louise Erdrich, two brothers are living through the time of the Vietnam War, and their struggle with PTSD. The emotional rollercoaster Erdrich takes us on, through the time before Henry leaves, to the time he comes back, and finally to his giving up are all here for us feel.
At the beginning of the story we find ourselves learning about the two brothers, Lyman and Henry. The two of them share a red convertible that they have worked on and loved together. This car takes them on an amazing road trip where they head to Alaska. Lyman says, “I remember lying under those trees, and it was so comfortable.” One night Henry and Lyman had a girl named Suzy in their tent. Henry put Suzy on his shoulders to see what he would look like with long hair. Henry twirled around and around so her hair flung out at the sides. They laughed all night. Lyman describes this as the best bonding time between the brothers. When the …show more content…
The story ends with one last road trip to the river. Lyman starts to feel what Henry is feeling, looks at him, grabs him, and tells him to wake up. “I know it. I can’t help it. It’s no use,” Henry says. After a tussle about who is going to take the car, they end up laughing in the grass. Lyman thinks that just maybe his brother is back. Just when you get a glimpse of hope it is ripped from you. Henry says that he needs to cool off and jumps in the river. The current takes him, and he is lost forever. This is symbolically letting us know that some of the veterans will be lost forever if we don’t get them the professional help that they need. The help is there and if we can’t stand up for our family no one
At the beginning of the story we find ourselves learning about the two brothers, Lyman and Henry. The two of them share a red convertible that they have worked on and loved together. This car takes them on an amazing road trip where they head to Alaska. Lyman says, “I remember lying under those trees, and it was so comfortable.” One night Henry and Lyman had a girl named Suzy in their tent. Henry put Suzy on his shoulders to see what he would look like with long hair. Henry twirled around and around so her hair flung out at the sides. They laughed all night. Lyman describes this as the best bonding time between the brothers. When the …show more content…
The story ends with one last road trip to the river. Lyman starts to feel what Henry is feeling, looks at him, grabs him, and tells him to wake up. “I know it. I can’t help it. It’s no use,” Henry says. After a tussle about who is going to take the car, they end up laughing in the grass. Lyman thinks that just maybe his brother is back. Just when you get a glimpse of hope it is ripped from you. Henry says that he needs to cool off and jumps in the river. The current takes him, and he is lost forever. This is symbolically letting us know that some of the veterans will be lost forever if we don’t get them the professional help that they need. The help is there and if we can’t stand up for our family no one