The short story, “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich begins on a small Native American reserve in North Dakota. Through the short we follow and explore the brotherhood between the narrator, Lyman and his older brother Henry. After the loss of Lyman’s store and obtaining insurance money the boys spend it on a red convertible. This convertible, although it was only bought impulsively becomes a major part of the boys lives especially after Henry returns from war. Though Erdrich did not reveal this, it is assumed that the boys had become so immersed in Western culture that they lost sight of their own native traditions and ideas. At the beginning of the short, before Henry goes to war, it is revealed the at least Lyman is very materialistic.
