“The Scarlet Ibis” is a short story by James Hurst that tells the story of two brothers, one of whom is disabled and the other who is desperate to help him. This story explores and in brace the themes of love, pride, and cruelty. The author’s craA is parBcularly evident in the way he uses symbolism and foreshadowing to create a sense of tension and anBcipaBon throughout the story. In the first paragraph, the author sets a somber and melancholic tone, which is achieved by vivid and descripBve language. He begins by describing the seEng as “Bleak and forlorn” and
“the graveyard flowers” that surrounds the house. AddiBonally, the narrator describes his brother’s physical appearance “small and feeble” and his “strange” and “ugly” features also
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In this short story, the narrator also uses symbolism to convey the story’s themes of death, suffering and the fragility of life such as the use of the color red throughout the story to symbolize death and suffering. He describes the “bleeding tree” and the “red nightshade” that grows in the garden, both of which are associated with death. Red is also used to describe the narrator’s brother, who has a “red, peeling sunburn” and who dies with a “red, swollen belly”. In addiBon, the author incorporated allusions from the Bible, Greek mythology, and other literary works to add depth to the story and enhance the reader’s understanding of the characters and themes. For instance, he also uses imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, he describes the seEng and characters in detail to create a visual and emoBonal impact. Overall, “The Scarlet Ibis” is a powerful story that explores complex themes through the use of symbolism and foreshadowing to build suspense and make the reader wonder what will happen next. He creates a sense of tension and anBcipaBon by hinBng at the tragic ending from the very beginning of the story. He also uses the character of the narrator’s pride to teach the