The Red Convertible

The Red Convertible

By

Joan Batterbee

The Red Convertible is a story about two American Indian brothers and their relationship and how the purchase of a new car symbolizes their relationship and feelings for each other. It also illustrates how prevalent mental illness among the Indian population is rarely considered or treated in a timely and effective manner.

The color red and cruising in a fast car are favorite pastimes of most of us but it also symbolizes a constant state of movement and mania. Maybe that is the point. American Indians living on reservations are in some of the worst housing and social conditions in America. Heavy drug use, alcohol,crime and mental illness are prevalent.

The brothers act very impulsively right from the beginning buying a new car driving for one whole summer "off to Greener Pastures" indicate a couple of boys looking for something they currently do not have. Henry even forgot he enlisted in the Marines a very difficult unit of the American Navy. When he returns from Vietnam his brother seems to be different could PTSD or other mental conditions be the cause of this just before Henry jumps in the Red River Lyman tries to "Jolly up" by saying. "Crazy Laramie Boys".

The last statement Henry makes is my "boots are filling" a very subjective statement with really no known meaning this could mean he had water in his shoes or maybe he can't handle living in the world and is overwhelmed. Jumping in the river answers that question.

On the surface this seems to be a story of two carefree brothers who spend a summer driving and living large with life and the world finally spoiling their innocence. But clearly the results indicate a deeper more physical and psychological problem that was never addressed.