The Scarlet Ibis Pride And Abuse Quotes

In life, everyone has ups and downs, but the courage to get through it is based on the willpower to succeed. In “The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst uses Pride, Abuse, and selfishness to communicate the theme of the strange relationship brother has with Doodle. In the story, “The Scarlet Ibis”, the author portrays the character as an everyday person with internal struggles. In “The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst uses Pride, Abuse, and selfishness to communicate the theme of the strange relationship brother has with Doodle. Brother uses pride in the story by helping brother walk. He was so naive about it, he even admits it to himself but by then it’s too late. He even said in the story “I should have already admitted defeat, but my pride wouldn’t let me” (Hurst 471). His pride through the story is his biggest character trait and in some parts of the story, it defined him.

Doodle didn’t get a name until a few months after he was born. When he was named Doodle, Brother was first to become his biggest hater. While Brother and Doodle were talking, Brother voiced, “Such a name only sounds good on a tombstone” (462). The sad irony in this is that he left his brother and Doodle soon died. When Brother took Doodle outside they didn’t predict the weather that was inbound to where they were. Brother heard Doodle cry, “Brother, being Brother, Brother, Don’t leave me, Don’t leave me” (475). His egotistical brain made him lose the thought to take Doodle with him when it rains. When the lightning came down, Doodle was scared and crying for help. This reveals the abusive motivation Brother intended for