Literary Terms Analysis: The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

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Short Story Essay: Literary Terms Analysis

Some people are too naive to see that their own happiness might come from someone else’s pain. In the short story called, The Scarlet Ibis, written by James Hurst, a young boy tries to get by in life despite his severe physical disabilities and his unreasonable egotistical older brother. When the narrator taught Doodle how to walk just because he wanted to have a “normal” brother, he proved to the readers that excessive amounts of pride make people treat those they love with inhumanity; this is exhibited in the symbolism of the scarlet ibis and the characterization incorporated into the story.

The scarlet ibis symbolizes Doodle because they both have physical weaknesses, die trying to survive in