Scarlet Ibis Literary Analysis

James Hurst, author of “Scarlet Ibis,” writes in a way so that all readers can determine the theme that can be easily identified as greed and selfishness. It shows two main types of conflict throughout the story. Foreshadowing is an important literary device used in this story, for it allows a reader to envision upcoming events. The short story “Scarlet Ibis” deals with a theme of greed along with literary devices such as conflict and foreshadowing that help contribute to the plot of the story. “Scarlet Ibis” focuses on constant conflict between the narrator versus his younger brother and the narrator versus himself. For example, the older brother must be very careful with Doodle, for he is ill and is still unable to walk at the age of five.

At the beginning of the story, when Doodle is born, it is said by everyone that he would not live. He was very small at birth and was not expected to make it. A small coffin was made for him, but he lived to outgrow. An example of foreshadowing is when the narrator exclaims, “A scarlet ibis! How many miles it had traveled to die like this,” (Hurst pg. 137). Doodle felt that the bird should be buried and laid to rest. Unfortunately, this foreshadows the resolution of the story where Doodle dies. In a way, Doodle is the scarlet ibis. He lived when it was said he wouldn’t. He walked though many believed he was unable. Doodle overcame all of it, and in the end died in the rain underneath a tree. The literary devices of foreshadowing and conflict are both important to contributing to the main theme of greed. The two types of conflict are shown all throughout the story between the narrator and his younger brother as well as himself. Foreshadowing is an ideal part because it lets the readers foresee Doodle’s fate. In conclusion, the story used all of these literary devices and themes to allow a reader to create a sense of the characters’ personalities, as well as developing the storyline and