Doodle's Brother In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

Memorable stories describe characters to where the audience feels what the character must deal with. Often these stories relate to the fellow audience, creating a “bond” and or connection. Most readers can relate to the hardship of one of main characters of the “Scarlet Ibis”, Doodle’s brother, and what he must face. Like most memorable stories, James Hurst, author of the short story, “The Scarlet Ibis”, uses diction and actions and events Doodle’s brother experiences to characterise him in displaying determination, hope, and loving.

One of Doodle’s brother’s qualities is determination. In the story he states, “‘I’m going to teach you to walk. I heaved him up again and again he collapsed. This time he did not lift his face up out of the

The brother states in the passage, “But sometimes (like right now), as I sit in the cool, green-draped parlor, the grindstone begins to turn, and time with all its changes is ground away- and I remember Doodle.” After Doodle’s passing the brother remembers the details and struggling of having an invalid brother. During the beginning of the story he is ashamed and embarrassed to have a brother with physical and mental disabilities. As time passes on he starts to except his brother for who he is, which leads to their never ending friendship. But, with the memory of Doodle’s birth to death he guilts himself into thinking it was his fault for Doodle’s passing. The final example is when the author states, “I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death.” The brother was proud of the accomplishments Doodle and him achieved. He loved his brother and wanted the best for him, but also wanted the best for himself. He believed that helping his brother would make Doodle feel “alive” and not worthless. But, he didn’t want to be the kid who had a mental brother. So he pushed Doodle to the limit, which led to his death. Realizing that he killed the one he loved the most over social status and conforming to those around him, he blames himself and can never undo what he did to the brother he