“For a long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.” (page 6). These are the parting words of James Hearst from his short story, The Scarlet Ibis. The line describes the moment in which the narrator cradles the body of his dead brother, William Armstrong, more commonly known as Doodle. In the story, Doodle dies of a combination of a heart condition, fatigue, pneumonia, and the Spanish flu.
In “The Scarlet Ibis”, James Hurst shows that one should not take the easy way out by submitting to one’s obstacles because in the end, it won’t be worth it. “I heaved him up again collapsed… ‘I just can’t do it.’ [Doodle says]” (Hurts 598). An example of the theme is when Doodle submits to his obstacle, which is his brother setting a goal for him he doesn’t care to achieve. By not facing his problems, The narrator’s younger brother’s problems get worse, and somewhat lead to his death.
Soon empty threats displayed during the foreshadowing would present themselves nearly exactly in Doodle’s death “It’s long graceful neck jerked twice into an S”(Hurst 5) compared to “I cried, shaking him… making his vermilion neck appear unusually long and slim”(Hurst 6). The death of the scarlet Ibis draws many similarities to Doodle’s unfortunate end whether that be when comparing their necks or the brilliant red displayed by Doodle’s blood and the birds feathers. This final quote being so close to Doodle’s expiration leaves little suspense when leading to final act. All the examples quoted lend themselves in order to show the brilliance in the use of foreshadowing throughout The Scarlet Ibis. The use of foreshadowing early on keeps readers guessing on whether this will be a story of Doodle’s unlikely survival or foreseeable doom.
In the story The Scarlet Ibis the narrator is not at fault with doodles death because the narrator did not intend for doodle to die. If the narrator truly wanted his brother dead and was to blame for his death why did he waste all his time in trying to help his brother out. The narrator was a bad brother in the start of the story and was only six years old at the start of the story (hurst,pg.350). Before doodle was born he did want a brother one to care for and play with one to be a brother with (hurst,351. When doodle was born the narrator saw doodle as a dissapointment.
When the scarlet ibis first shows up at the plantation, the family notice that the bird is unfamiliar and are unaware what kind of bird it is. However, after the bird falls to it’s death out of the tree, the family figures out that a rare bird from an exoctic southern country, Likewise, the family doesn’t realize how rare and unique Doodle’s life is until after Doodle dies. In addition, the big straw hat that falls over Doodle’s ears represents a halo. Throughout the short story, Doodle represents an angel: He is kind and isn’t self-centered.
Considering the mood set in the beginning, a death here is pretty significant. Also, when the Scarlet Ibis dies, Doodle is shocked and decides to bury it. This gives the reader the thought of death and honoring the dead, which is the message the author is trying to
As stated by the google dictionary, the definition of sadness is the condition or quality of being sad. The quality of being sad is shown through the ups and downs of Doodle. Doodle is disabled, when he was younger his parents thought that he wouldn't live for very long and would ever walk. Doodle and Brother's relationship in the story, “The Scarlet Ibis” also shows sadness because brother was hurting doodle by making him run and pushing him. In the story “The Scarlet Ibis”, by James Hurst, the theme sadness can cause people to realize what they lost, this is shown through mood.
In James Hurst’s short story “The Scarlet Ibis,” the narrator’s remorseful attitude towards Doodle’s death is illustrated through the utilization of foreshadowing and flashback. This is made evident through the passing of the scarlet ibis and the narrator’s own prideful behavior and faith in his infallibility. The scarlet ibis that symbolizes Doodle with its death is incorporated into the foreseeable outcome of the end of Doodle’s life, and the indication of the narrator’s future guilt is manifested through his reminiscence of cruelty he displayed towards Doodle in his past. The significance of the appearance of the bird is emphasized alongside specific characteristics to foreshadow Doodle’s own fate, followed by the narrator’s guilt.
The scarlet ibis symbolizes Doodle. “It lives in the tropics. How many miles it has traveled to die like this, in our yard, beneath the bleeding tree,” (424). Doodle, like the scarlet ibis, does not belong in his environment. He is mentally and physically impaired, which makes him different and stand out.
Such ending of The Scarlet Ibis is surprizing for both the narrator and the reader. In fact, the death of Doodle after growing up is unexpected by neither the narrator nor the reader. (Hamdi, DeAngelis, 2008, Page
The older brother likely had the realization it could have been Doodle dead in that moment, instead of the ibis. Later, Doodle buried the Ibis, being the only one that wanted to do so. Even in Doodle’s state he finished burying the bird, when the reader could see a similarity in the beginning of the story in reverse on how they thought they would be burying Doodle in the coffin they built for him. Instead he is giving the Ibis a
“It is better to lose your pride with someone you love than to lose someone you love with your useless pride” - Unknown “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst is the story of a boy and his sickly younger brother, Doodle. The older brother (the narrator) was embarrassed that Doodle was unable to do normal, physical things. The narrator set off to teach his brother to walk, swim, and run, but his pride caused him to push his little brother too hard, which eventually led to Doodle’s death. The narrator was heartbroken that he caused his brother to die.
“The Scarlet Ibis” Literary Analysis Essay As the protagonist unfolds his tale, he paints a picture of himself initially as a malevolent force, planning the smothering death of his crippled brother, to a bully, force-teaching Doodle to walk to satisfy his own ends, and finally a neglectful older brother whose acts lead to Doodle’s demise. It is the central event of his brother’s death that gives full meaning to the title, “The Scarlet Ibis.” In this short story by James Hurst, the author conveys the Narrator’s guilt over Doodle’s life and, more importantly, his death.
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre grows up without any parental guidance. Living with her aunt’s family for her entire childhood, she often suffers exclusion and abuse because of her social status. As a child under such maltreatment, Jane learns how to speak up for herself against injustice and develops an assertive personality. After graduating from Lowood, she serves as a governess in Thornfield, where Mr. Rochester belittles her and acts insensitively towards her feelings. Instead of declaring her position in front of him, Jane becomes submissive and unconfident; however, her affections towards Mr. Rochester increase through their interactions, yet, she is hesitant to disclose her true feelings due to her own sense of insecurity.
“Doodle, Doodle.” There was no answer but the ropy rain. I began to weep, and the tear blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar. ”(pg.395) The reaction of the family to the Scarlet Ibis’s death shows maybe how the family would react if Doodle was to die.
