The Scarlet Ibis

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“The Scarlet Ibis” In “The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst uses symbolism to develop a theme that teaches when one pushes themselves he/she can overcome great obstacles, but sometimes pushing to far past ones limits can cause the opposite accomplishment. The characterization of ‘brother’ is a flashback of the self that the author uses to communicate the message of not letting pride get in the way of ones actions. The author teaches that when someone gets caught up in thoughts and self-focus it can lead to selfish actions or even cruelty that may later be regretted. The story reflects that life should be lived to its fullest and treasured. In the story “The Scarlet Ibis” the author, James Hurst, displays Doodle, the younger boy born with a birth defect, in the way that he describes the Scarlet Ibis. The author does this by reflecting the experiences of the scarlet ibis with Doodle. For example, when eating lunch Doodle heard a loud croak coming from the backyard, the family rushed outside to see a big chicken sized red bird. “’ What is it?’ Doodle repeated ‘Bring me the bird book,’ said Daddy” (Hurst,254). After consulting the bird book the family found that the bird was a Scarlet Ibis from the South Americans tropics. This shows the reader that this in a rare bird and its unusual to see in North Carolina. When Doodle was born he was red with a big head and tiny body and looked like an old shriveled grandpa. “Everybody thought he was to die” (Hurst,254). Even though everyone thought Doodle was going to die, and even made him a baby coffin, he lived beyond expectations. Doodle has an extremely rare illness in the same way the Scarlet Ibis is rare. The struggles that are faced between Doodle and the bird are very similar. Doodle felt as if he could relate the animal’s struggles along with his own. This is why when the Scarlet Ibis died, Doodle wanted to bury it. Not

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