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The Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis is a short story published in 1960 that explores themes of brotherhood, pride, and acceptance. It tells the story of a narrator and his brother Doodle, who was born with physical impairments. Driven by pride, the narrator pushes Doodle too hard in his efforts to help him walk and learn. This leads to Doodle's death when they get caught in a storm. The story examines the damaging effects of pride and the importance of compassion through its complex characters and powerful use of symbolism and imagery. It also teaches the reader about accepting people's differences and limitations.

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KAYALVILI CHANDRASEGARAN
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599 views3 pages

The Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis is a short story published in 1960 that explores themes of brotherhood, pride, and acceptance. It tells the story of a narrator and his brother Doodle, who was born with physical impairments. Driven by pride, the narrator pushes Doodle too hard in his efforts to help him walk and learn. This leads to Doodle's death when they get caught in a storm. The story examines the damaging effects of pride and the importance of compassion through its complex characters and powerful use of symbolism and imagery. It also teaches the reader about accepting people's differences and limitations.

Uploaded by

KAYALVILI CHANDRASEGARAN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Scarlet Ibis, James Hurst’s sole piece of writing to be widely acclaimed was first

published in the Atlantic Monthly in July 1960 and was awarded the Atlantic First award that
same month. The Scarlet Ibis is a hauntingly beautiful short story that explores the
complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our actions. The narrator is
reflecting back on his recollections of his younger brother, Doodle, who was born with a
physical impairment. It also exemplifies the damaging power of one's own pride. The poignant
story is noteworthy for its abundance of symbolism, profound lessons, rich imagery, potent
themes, and emotional impact.

The narrator of the narrative recalls his brother Doodle's birth as a child, describing it
as a let-down because of his small heart and other congenital issues that left him physically
fragile. But as time passes, the narrator grows close to his brother and resolves to assist in
his brother's learning how to walk. The narrator pushes Doodle pushes to his limits, out of
pride and embarrassment, disregarding the doctor's caution that it might not be good for
Doodle's health. As the story goes by, the narrator starts to take pride in Doodle's development.
He pushes his brother to the verge of exhaustion, but his pride prevents him from seeing the
danger he is placing him in. In the story's finale, the two brothers are out for training when they
become trapped in a storm. When the narrator turns around after realising his younger brother
is not behind him as they flee for shelter, he discovers him lying still on the ground. When
Doodle passes away in the narrator's arms, sadness and guilt overcome him. The narrator of
the narrative laments the passing of his brother and feels bad about having pushed him too
hard.

This story, in my opinion, has a lot of advantages that keep readers interested. The
story's relatable characters, especially the narrator and Doodle, are one of its main assets.
The narrator is presented as a complicated and relatable character due to the nuanced and
genuine depiction of his conflicted feelings of love, embarrassment, and pride. Because of
this, readers can easily invest emotionally in the characters' story. Many readers may be able
to identify with the narrator's struggle to accept his brother's impairment and his yearning for
a "normal" brother. Secondly, the story's examination of universal themes is also one of its
strong points. "The Scarlet Ibis" examines themes of brotherhood, pride, acceptance, and the
nature of fate, all of which are issues that many readers can identify with personally. The story
has a greater effect as a result of this connection with timeless issues that helps to evoke a
sense of resonance in the reader. The morality of attempting to alter someone's core nature
and the effects of disregarding one's own limitations are also major issues raised by the story.

If we look closer, language is fundamental in forming the story, expressing the


characters' feelings, and giving readers an engaging and memorable reading experience.
Thus, the story's use of vibrant and evocative language is a strength as well. Hurst's writing is
rife with sensory nuances that immerse the reader in a full-bodied reality. For instance, the
narrator uses the phrase "He seemed all head, with a tiny body which was red and shrivelled
like an old man's" to describe Doodle's physical attributes. The reader is better able to visualise
Doodle's appearance thanks to this description. Second, the story's superb use of symbolism
and imagery lends it a depth and resonance that are uncommon in short fiction. The story's
themes of passion, death, and regret are further emphasised by the use of colour symbolism,
such as the red of the ibis and the colour of Doodle's coffin. Thirdly, Hurst use foreshadowing
to build suspense and expectation throughout the narrative. There is a sense of anxiety and
intrigue since the reader knows that something dreadful will happen but is unsure of what or
when. Hurst's use of dialogue and narrative voice, in addition to these literary devices, adds
to the strength of the story. The characters' conversations are authentic and realistic, which
fosters a feeling of intimacy and emotional depth. These merits contribute to an engaging and
lasting reading experience that engages readers long after the story has ended.

Additionally, there are some aspects of the plot that I loved. The lesson it taught me is
one of them. The significance of compassion, empathy, and tolerating those who are different,
especially those with disabilities, is one of the most important teachings that "The Scarlet Ibis"
imparts. The narrator's fixation with attempting to make his brother "normal" and his inability
to accept his brother's limits finally resulted in the demise of his brother. Furthermore, it also
teaches the value of remorse, regret, and the necessity of taking accountability for our deeds
and the effects they have on others. The narrative demonstrates the grave effects of regret
and shame on our lives. The narrator experiences years of remorse and lifelong sorrow as a
result of his brother's passing. These lessons encourage kindness, comprehension, and
introspection in many facets of life.

Hurst then expresses his deepest feelings and views through a collection of powerful.
These quotes have also increased my affection for this tale. One of the most moving lines
from the story is, "I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears
two vines, life and death." This quotation emphasises the issue of pride and underscores the
danger of unbridled pride by highlighting its destructive character. Furthermore, "For a long
time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of
rain," is another noteworthy quote. The beautifully crafted phrase expresses the narrator's
profound sense of loss and regret, accentuating the fragility of life and the significance of
cherishing our loved ones while we still have them.

In a nutshell, the story of "The Scarlet Ibis" is one that will stick with readers long after
they have finished reading it. It is sorrowful, strong and poignant. It is a testament to the
resilience of the human spirit and the importance of love and determination in overcoming
obstacles. I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a beautifully written and
emotionally stirring book. In terms of accessibility, "The Scarlet Ibis" is widely available and
easily accessible to readers.

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