"The Scarlet Ibis" is one of my favorite short stories and the only one of author James Hurst's literary works to gain notoriety. There are elements of the story that were from the author's own life, but it is a work of fiction, and not autobiographical in nature.
James Hurst grew up on a farm in coastal North Carolina, so most of the aspects of the setting of "The Scarlet Ibis" were part of Hurst's experiences growing up. Most of the flora and fauna he named in the story was found on the farm where he grew up. Hurst attended Juilliard with hopes of becoming an opera singer. His dreams died after three years, and he found a career in the banking industry. It was during his time as a banker that he wrote a smattering of short stories and one play. "The Scarlet Ibis" first...
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appeared in the magazine "Atlantic Monthly" and won an award.
Hurst was the youngest of three children, so he did not fit the older brother profile of his character known only as "Brother." He had one older brother and one older sister. He did not suffer any physical disabilities that I could discern and served as a U.S. soldier in World War II. In his obituary, (he died in 2013) there is a quote from Hurst himself about the meaning of "The Scarlet Ibis." I have included the excerpt from his obituary below:
Hurst lived not far from the place in North Carolina where he was born. In his garden grew many of the flowers mentioned in "The Scarlet Ibis." Hurst said that there are three "characters" in the story— Doodle, the narrator, and the setting, which comments on the inner action. When asked about the meaning of the story, Hurst once replied, "I hesitate to respond, since authors seldom understand what they write. That is why we have critics. I venture to say, however, that it comments on the tenacity and the splendor of the human spirit."
References
This story is not based on an actual incidence that happened. The only bearing it had on real life, according to the author James Hurst, was its symbolic representation of his failed singing career. But there was no real life Doodle. See the sites below for more information about the author and the story.
This is an interesting question and one I would have to say no to. If you check out the links below they will tell you that there is no autobiographical relevance to the story and the author. In an interview Hurst actually told a reviewer that he wrote it as an illustration of his failed singing career. It is also interesting to review the link on the historical context in which the story was written in. It discusses briefly about eugenics, which is selective breeding. It's a good connection that goes with the story, but it is not based on a true story.