The Brothers
Who narrates The Red Convertible?
Lyman Lamartine
What color is the convertible?
Red
What object is the most important symbol in the story?
The red convertible
What war does Henry fight in?
The Vietnam War
What is one major theme of the story?
Brotherhood, trauma of war, loss of innocence, identity, or isolation
What is the name of Lyman's older brother?
Henry Junior
What country do the brothers travel through?
Canada
Name one thing the convertible can symbolize.
Freedom, youth, innocence, or Henry and Lyman's relationship
How is Henry different when he returns?
He is withdrawn, anxious, tense, and emotionally disconnected.
What does Lyman hope will happen when Henry starts fixing the convertible?
He hopes working on the car will help Henry become more like his old self again.
What do Henry and Lyman purchase together?
A red Oldsmobile convertible
What is the name of the girl Henry and Lyman pick up while traveling?
Susy
What happens to the convertible at the end?
Lyman sends it into the river.
What does Henry spend a lot of time doing after returning home?
Watching tv
Why does the photograph of Henry eventually bother Lyman?
It reminds him of how much Henry has changed and captures the pain hidden beneath Henry's attempted smile.
Who takes the photo of Henry and Lyman?
Their younger sister Bonita
Where does Susy live?
Alaska
What does the condition of the convertible often parallel?
Henry and Lyman's relationship / their loss of freedom and innocence
What disturbing thing happens to Henry while he is watching TV?
He bites through his lip.
What major contrast structures much of the story?
Henry before Vietnam versus Henry after Vietnam
He damages the car so Henry will repair it
What unusual physical feature does Susy reveal to the brothers?
Her extremely long hair, which reaches the ground/near her feet.
Why is Lyman sending the car into the river symbolically important?
It represents the end of the brothers' shared life/bond and Lyman's recognition that their old life cannot be recovered.
What modern psychological condition does Henry's behavior strongly suggest?
PTSD
Why is the ending especially significant to the meaning of the convertible?
Henry's death permanently ends the life and relationship the car represented, so Lyman sends the convertible into the river with him.