ipl-logo

The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst: Short Story Analysis

373 Words2 Pages

The short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst illustrates how if someone is too selfish it can result in bad consequences. In the beginning, the narrator or Brother is introduced as a man recalling memories of his little brother doodle. Doodle was a boy who was not born normal. When he was born he was a red, shriveled, disappointment. He wasn’t expected to live very long, but did, so after two months they decided to name him. Doodle wasn’t even able to walk until he was about five when Brother taught him, but only taught him because he was embarrassed to have a brother who couldn’t walk. Later on, Brother tries to teach Doodle to do other things like swim, and one day after practicing swimming there was a bad lightning storm. During

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    345 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, A scarlet ibis symbolizes a young, invalid boy named Doodle because he relates to the bird’s vulnerability, weakness, and incoordination, yet each of them still strived to achieve the unexpected. Firstly, the scarlet ibis represented Doodle’s vulnerability because of the precarious way it perched high up in a tree, and unsteady on a branch. The susceptible bird risked falling because it did not have the physical strength to support itself. This could compare to Doodle’s vulnerable state when the narrator insistently taught Doodle how to stand. For a long time, Doodle couldn’t stand, or walk without assistance, so he had to rely on and trust his brother to protect him when they went to to

    Read More

  • Summary Of Imagery In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    218 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “The Scarlet Ibis,” by James Hurst we are told the story of Doodle from his brother’s perspective. We’re told just how crazy Doodle could be, how delicate he was and how he cared for a certain bird. Moreover, in “The Scarlet Ibis,” Hurst uses imagery to show the connection between Doodle and the scarlet ibis. The said bird is originally from the tropics but was found badly wounded in Doodle’s own backyard. It ended up falling out of a tree and dying.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    164 Words  | 1 Pages

    In The Scarlet Ibis written by James Hurst has a major conflict where Doodle’s brother being too ashamed of his own little brother’s frail condition and trying to change him because of it. This conflict in particular was man versus man. This story starts off with Doodle being born and everyone around him thought that he was going to die. In that moment of time they had a casket built for Doodle. The brother, being so disappointed in him tried killing Doodle in his sleep, only to see him smiling which changed his mind.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    198 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, the narrator is an abuser to his younger brother Doodle. For example, a few weeks before school was to begin, Doodle experiences sleepless nights and wakes up crying from nightmares as a result of his brother’s goal to teach Doodle to walk. It is understandable to try and have Doodle learn to walk day by day, but the stress Doodle is under to please his brother shows how the narrator puts his own pride above Doodle’s well-being. Considering that the narrator doesn’t take Doodle’s responses to his activities into account as he teaches, the narrator knows no boundaries as to what is helpful and what is treated as abuse. In addition, the narrator runs out of Horseshoe Landing leaving Doodle alone in the rain

    Read More

  • Selfishness In 'The Scarlet Ibis' By James Hurst

    199 Words  | 1 Pages

    A central topic in “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst is selfishness. For example, the narrator only helped Doodle because he “was embarrassed at having a brother of that age who couldn’t walk.” (Hurst 1) This shows that he was selfish because he cared what people thought of him, not the well being of his brother. Another

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: The Scarlet Ibis Analysis Rough Draft

    323 Words  | 2 Pages

    doodle isn’t supposed to walk but brother wants to prove everybody wrong. “I can’t walk, brother’ he said. ‘Who says so?’ I demanded” (Hurst 3). When doodle was born they said it was really likely doodle wasn’t gonna make it because of weak bones and heart.

    Read More

  • Brother's Coming-Of-Age In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    952 Words  | 4 Pages

    Brother teaching Doodle to walk

    Read More

  • Scarlet Ibis Compare Contrast Essay

    855 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, a boy is born crippled and no one thought he would live. The boy lived however, and they named him Doodle. Doodle and his brother were very close and Doodle loved his brother and never wanted his brother to leave him alone. Doodle’s brother was ashamed to have a crippled brother so he attempted to help doodle become normal throughout doodle’s life in the story. Doodle loved his brother, even though his brother was very selfish in his reasons to help Doodle to become normal, and his brother realized how selfish and guilty he was when it was to late for Doodle in the end.

    Read More

  • Scarlet Ibis Shame Quotes

    381 Words  | 2 Pages

    Brother is ashamed of Doodle’s disability because Doodle isn't like other boys. Brother is trying to make Doodle as normal as possible so that other kids don't bully them. So, Doodle is taught to walk by Brother. Brother says, “I was embarrassed of having a brother that age

    Read More

  • The Narrator Struggle In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    371 Words  | 2 Pages

    Even the strongest, most determined people have their breaking point. In James Hurst’s short story, “The Scarlet Ibis” the narrator tries to lift his disabled brother, Doodle, to his impossible expectations. His hard work, dedication, and his tough ways benefit and damage his brother. The narrator’s pride makes selfish and cruel sometimes, but very determined.

    Read More

  • Helen On Eighty-Sixth Street Character Analysis

    822 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the story “Scarlet Ibis,” the narrator is flawed in his inability to let go of his desire to have a normal brother. The narrator has a little brother named Doodle, with an extreme amount of disabilities. Before Doodle was born, the narrator fantasized about having a little brother who would be his playmate. Doodle, however, was not the ideal brother. He could not walk or do much on his own.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of James Hearst's Short Story 'The Scarlet Ibis'

    222 Words  | 1 Pages

    He is sickly and frail at birth, and is told, “with his weak heart this strain [learning how to crawl] would probably kill him.” (page 1). This heart condition means that Doodle is unable to stand long periods of physical strain. During the story, his brother pushes him very hard to learn how

    Read More

  • Obstacles In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

    89 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Literary Devices In The Scarlet Ibis, By James Hurst

    1200 Words  | 5 Pages

    Dana Abrarova Mrs. Parent English 9B February 3, 2023 The Scarlet Ibis “For a long long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.” (Hurst 391-392). The short story, The Scarlet Ibis, is about a invalid younger brother who was trying to exceed the expectations of the narrator, the older brother. However, the narrator's pride caught up to the younger brother and that led to destruction.

    Read More

  • The Scarlet Ibis By Hurst: Literary Analysis

    331 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Scarlet Ibis”, Hurst uses the theme of peer pressure to argue that the normative conformity with one’s reputation leads to death. In providing rationale for his brother, Doodle, the narrator exclaims “It was bad enough having an invalid brother, but having one who possibly was not all there was unbearable, so I began to make plans to kill him… (Hurst 176). The narrator statement explains his embarrassment of having a handicapped brother. The narrator didn’t get the normal brother with whom he could share his love of the outdoors. When he finds out he has an “invalid brother” he feels it's “unbearable”.

    Read More

More about The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst: Short Story Analysis

Open Document