The Scarlet Ibis Group

Question:

addie110394
addie110394
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What are some symbols in the short story, "The Scarlet Ibis," besides the bird itself?

The bird symolizes Doodle but also what else could it represent? Or what could Doodle represent besides the bird?

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Posted by addie110394 on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 5:31 PM and tagged with brother, doodle, symbolism, the scarlet ibis.

Answers:

  1. bullgatortail
    bullgatortail Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

        The "red, dead bird" in the James Hurst short story, "The Scarlet Ibis," does indeed symbolize the frailty of Doodle, the beautiful but imperfect child whose life is also suddenly cut short. Like the ibis, which has traveled a great distance only to discover that he is lost in a strange land, Doodle is also a misplaced youth who has lived longer and covered more ground than anyone could have imagined. But there are other symbols in the story.
        Hurst places the ibis in the appropriately named "bleeding tree." It is from here that the bird tumbles and dies. The only person that thought Doodle would live was--also aptly named--Aunt Nicey, who likened him to Jesus. The hurricane which brought the ibis also symbolizes a bad omen, as do the black storm clouds which cause the final rains.

    The sun disappeared and darkness descended, almost like night.

    The early darkness symbolizes the approach of death.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/scarlet-ibis

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    Posted by bullgatortail on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM