illustration of a scarlet ibis cradling a boy's body

The Scarlet Ibis

by James Hurst

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Student Question

In "The Scarlet Ibis," what are two things Doodle accomplishes against all odds?

Quick answer:

In "The Scarlet Ibis," Doodle defies expectations by living beyond infancy and learning to walk, despite his physical limitations. Additionally, he accomplishes rowing a boat and running, driven by his desire to please his brother. Doodle's unconditional love and hero worship for his brother, even when his brother endangers him, highlight his remarkable resilience and acceptance of his differences, demonstrating a carefree attitude toward life.

Expert Answers

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Doodle did a lot with his short life of five years. He surprised everyone by living longer than three months and walking, but he went even further than that and surprised his brother with unconditional love and hero worship, which his brother, at times, felt he didn't deserve at all. For example when his brother, the narrator, pushed Doodle into the water and Doodle almost drowned, but his brother saved him, all Doodle cared about was his brother saving his life, not the fact that it was his brother who put it in danger in the first place. Doodle also surprises everyone by going beyond just simply walking to rowing a boat and running. He pushed his little deformed body to its absolute limits to please his brother. Doodle also surprised his brother with his carefree attitude toward life because Doodle didn't care that he was different, he knew it didn't matter and he only tried to be "normal" for his brother.

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