The Scarlet Ibis Characters
The main characters in "The Scarlet Ibis" are Brother, Doodle, Aunt Nicey, Mama, and Daddy.
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Brother is the narrator who recalls his determination to train his physically and mentally challenged younger brother, Doodle. Brother's actions ultimately lead to Doodle's death.
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Mama and Daddy are Brother and Doodle's parents. They love Doodle but, as with the scarlet ibis, fail to appreciate him.
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Doodle is born sickly, but he defies everyone’s expectations by first surviving and then learning to walk. Doodle loves his brother, but he ultimately dies trying to meet his brother's expectations.
- Aunt Nicey is a deeply religious woman who predicts Doodle’s survival.
Characters
Brother
Brother serves as both the main character and the narrator of the story. Although his real name is not mentioned, Doodle, his younger brother, calls him "Brother." When Doodle is born, Brother is six years old. Brother prides himself on his abilities to run, jump, and climb, and longs for a sibling to share these activities with. However, when it becomes evident that Doodle can do little more than lie on a rubber sheet and crawl backward, Brother feels ashamed of Doodle's limitations and often mocks him. Despite his love for Doodle, Brother's affection is marred by cruelty and embarrassment.
Encouraged by Doodle and their parents, Brother reluctantly allows Doodle to join him on his adventures, pulling him along in a go-cart. Motivated by the shame of having a disabled sibling, Brother devises a plan to secretly teach Doodle to walk. Eventually, he succeeds. However, this accomplishment does not satisfy Brother, who is determined that Doodle should not be perceived as different when he starts school. Brother pushes Doodle to engage in increasingly strenuous activities until one day, he runs ahead, leaving Doodle behind. Doodle overexerts himself trying to keep up and dies from a heart attack. Brother weeps over Doodle's body, realizing the symbolic connection between Doodle and the rare scarlet ibis that had fallen dead from a tree in their garden earlier that day.
Daddy
Daddy is the father of Brother's family. Shortly after Doodle's birth, he has a coffin made, believing Doodle will die. When Doodle survives, Daddy constructs a go-cart so Brother can pull Doodle around.
Doodle
Doodle, the narrator's younger brother, is both mentally and physically challenged. Initially, his family calls him by his given name, William Armstrong, but Brother nicknames him Doodle (after a doodle-bug, due to his tendency to crawl backward), and the name sticks. From the start, Doodle is a disappointment to his family, especially Brother, because he can only lie on a rubber sheet and crawl backward. Although everyone expects Doodle to die, he defies the odds and survives, becoming a loving child with a strong bond to Brother. Brother pulls Doodle around in a go-cart until he teaches him to walk. Nonetheless, this achievement appears to hold more significance for Brother than for Doodle.
Doodle's true strengths are not in his physical abilities but in his inner qualities, which Brother fails to recognize during the events. From the start, Doodle defies death and refuses to acknowledge the coffin Daddy builds for him as his own. He exhibits a profound sense of awe and respect for nature, marveling at the beauty of Old Woman Swamp. He is the first to notice the visiting ibis and carefully buries it, adhering to his mother's instructions not to touch it. Doodle's compassionate nature is highlighted by his decision to bury the scarlet ibis, establishing a symbolic connection between him and the bird. This connection is further emphasized when Doodle dies on the same day as the ibis, in a manner that mirrors the bird's fate.
Doodle's deepest fear is being abandoned by his impatient Brother during their outings. This fear becomes reality one day, leading to his death from a heart attack as he struggles to keep up with Brother.
Mama
Mama, the mother in Brother's family, has little hope for Doodle's future from the start. She tearfully predicts that Doodle will never be able to run or climb with Brother and fears he may not be mentally normal. When the scarlet ibis falls dead from the tree, Mama forbids Doodle from touching the bird, worried it might be diseased. Her attitude towards Doodle mirrors her reaction to the bird: in both instances, she only expresses fear and anxiety, failing to see the beauty and miracle.
Aunt Nicey
Aunt Nicey, the aunt of Brother and Doodle, is the one who delivers Doodle and the only person who believes he will survive. She has a religious disposition, offering thanks to God when Doodle demonstrates he can walk. Since Doodle is born with a caul, traditionally considered "Jesus' nightgown," Aunt Nicey insists he should be treated with special respect, suggesting he might become a saint. Although her belief is rooted in superstition, it reflects an appreciation of Doodle's spiritual qualities and hints at a symbolic link between Doodle, the ibis, and Christ.
Expert Q&A
What are the similarities between Doodle and the bird in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The similarities between the bird and Doodle in "The Scarlet Ibis" include demonstrating great strength, proving to be ill-adapted for their environments, and dying after enduring a great physical feat.
What are three traits each for Doodle and his brother in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
In "The Scarlet Ibis," Doodle is depicted as an innocent, unique child who is persistent and imaginative. Doodle demonstrates his gentle nature by burying the scarlet ibis and is eager to please his older brother. Doodle's brother is a cruel, selfish adolescent who is insecure but regrets his actions later in life. Doodle's brother experiences remorse for the way he treated his handicapped brother and the role he played in his tragic death.
Why is Doodle fascinated by the scarlet ibis in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Doodle is fascinated by the scarlet ibis because he identifies with its fragility and uniqueness. Like Doodle, the ibis is a rare, delicate creature that does not belong in its environment and ultimately dies. Doodle's empathy for the bird leads him to insist on giving it a proper burial, symbolizing his connection to the ibis. This moment foreshadows Doodle's own tragic death, highlighting the symbolic link between the bird and Doodle's life and struggles.
Who are the direct and indirect characters in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the primary characters are Brother and Doodle, who are characterized both directly and indirectly. Brother, the narrator, reveals his traits through his thoughts and actions, particularly his pride and selfishness. Doodle is characterized through his interactions and dependence on Brother, showing his trust and innocence. Their mother is indirectly characterized as caring and honest. The story predominantly uses indirect characterization, revealing characters through behavior and dialogue.
What are the similarities between Doodle and the scarlet ibis?
Doodle and the scarlet ibis share several similarities, both being fragile and out-of-place in their environments. Doodle is born frail and "shriveled," similar to the delicate ibis emerging from its egg. Both struggle in unsuitable surroundings; Doodle's weak heart strains under pressure, paralleling the ibis's inability to withstand storm winds. Doodle's collapse and bleeding echo the ibis's death, with both ending up in a strikingly similar, vulnerable posture.
How are Doodle and his brother's traits similar and different in The Scarlet Ibis?
Doodle and his brother share traits of determination and resilience, as both are committed to overcoming challenges. The brother's motivation to teach Doodle to walk stems from embarrassment and a desire to avoid shame at school, reflecting a selfish drive. In contrast, Doodle is motivated by a desire to please and gain the approval of his brother, whom he idolizes. Despite their shared goal, their motivations differ significantly, highlighting the brother's selfishness and Doodle's selflessness.
What are ten characteristics of Doodle and his brother, and five of the ibis in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Why does the scarlet ibis symbolize Doodle?
The scarlet ibis a symbol for Doodle because it reflects an inability to exist in a world that hasn't been constructed for differences. Just as the scarlet ibis isn't native to North Carolina, where the story is set, so Doodle's physical challenges make it difficult for him to thrive in his world and society.
What is another possible symbol for Doodle or the narrator in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator could be symbolized by a cracked heart, representing his love for Doodle and his occasional cruelty, or a broken cane, symbolizing Doodle's dependence and the narrator's eventual failure to support him. Doodle might be symbolized by a feather, reflecting his sensitivity and the story's ibis symbolism, a snowflake for his uniqueness, a broken toy for his frailty, a butterfly for regeneration, or a phoenix for rebirth.
What types of characterization are in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The characterization in "The Scarlet Ibis" includes both direct and indirect methods, primarily focusing on the narrator, Doodle's older brother. Direct characterization reveals the narrator's shame and cruelty towards Doodle, as he admits to being driven by embarrassment. Indirect characterization shows his complex emotions through actions and reactions, such as his grief and regret after Doodle's death. The author uses these techniques to highlight the narrator's internal conflict and eventual realization of his love for Doodle.
Character Dynamics in "The Scarlet Ibis"
The character dynamics in "The Scarlet Ibis" revolve around the complex relationship between the narrator, Brother, and his disabled younger brother, Doodle. Brother's conflicting emotions of pride, shame, and guilt drive his actions, leading to both moments of deep connection and tragic consequences. Their bond is marked by Brother's struggle to accept Doodle's limitations while pushing him beyond his physical capabilities.
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