The Scarlet Ibis Themes
The main themes in "The Scarlet Ibis" are love versus pride, acceptance versus expectation, and martyrdom.
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Love versus pride: Brother’s motivations to help Doodle alternate between love and shame; his love encourages kindness, but his shame over Doodle’s failings results in Doodle's death.
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Acceptance versus expectation: Doodle’s parents accept him despite his limitations, but Brother tries to force Doodle to conform to his expectations, at the cost of Doodle’s life.
- Martyrdom: Doodle becomes an almost Christ-like figure; his love of nature and general goodness make his death all the more impactful, and Brother's apparent repentance suggests that Doodle's death has redeemed him.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: Conflict between Love and Pride
"The Scarlet Ibis" explores the conflict between love and pride within Brother's relationship with his disabled sibling, Doodle. Brother genuinely cares for and appreciates Doodle, as shown in moments when they dream of living in Old Woman Swamp, and Brother is touched by the vivid images Doodle conjures.
Love is characterized by acceptance and compassion. Yet, Brother's affection for Doodle is tainted by two common human shortcomings: pride and...
(Read more)Themes: The Desire to Make Over Others in One's Own Image
Unlike Brother, the rest of the family accepts Doodle for who he is. However, this acceptance is mixed with a sense of resignation and a lack of optimism for Doodle's future. Mama and Daddy are so convinced of his impending death that Daddy even orders a coffin. When Doodle survives, Daddy constructs a go-cart, accepting the belief that Doodle will never walk. The placement of the coffin and go-cart in the loft symbolizes Doodle's progress in...
(Read more)Themes: People Who Are Different
Both Doodle and the scarlet ibis are unique and stand out within their respective environments. "The Scarlet Ibis" delves into how individuals respond to those who are different or have disabilities. On one hand, Doodle's family assumes that he cannot lead a meaningful life and anticipates his death. On the other hand, Brother is determined to mold Doodle to fit in and avoid embarrassment. Doodle defies both expectations by refusing to die or...
(Read more)Themes: Brotherhood
It's significant that the protagonist is known solely by his connection to Doodle as "Brother." This detail emphasizes that brotherhood is a central theme. Brother's affection for Doodle is mixed with cruelty and shame. Doodle is deeply attached to Brother, heavily depending on him, and his biggest fear is being left alone. He is terrified when Brother threatens to abandon him in the barn loft if he doesn't touch the coffin, pleading, "'Don't...
(Read more)Themes: Pride
“The Scarlet Ibis” takes a hard look at the consequences of pride. The knowledge that his baby brother may be not only physically weak but also cognitively disabled is such a blow to the six-year-old narrator’s pride that he contemplates smothering the infant with a pillow. Only a smile of recognition from the prone baby convinces him the child’s intellectual development is progressing normally and halts thoughts of murder. For the first years of...
(Read more)Themes: Expectations and Acceptance
The narrator, six years old at the time of Doodle’s birth, has pinned his hopes on a brother who will be a playmate and companion in his adventures. He cannot conceive of anything less than the brother he envisions—and when presented with Doodle, whom he sees as a poor substitute, he contemplates murder. He is inflexible; he prefers no brother to one that doesn’t meet his expectations, and he spends the next few years trying to dissociate...
(Read more)Themes: Martyrdom: Doodle as Christ Figure
“The Scarlet Ibis” features subtle religious symbolism. Aunt Nicey identifies the caul (or amniotic membrane) in which Doodle is born as a holy symbol, since cauls are made from “Jesus’s nightgown.” As Doodle grows, his character takes on some of the qualities of a Christ figure. He displays a compassion for living things and a oneness with nature. On his first visit to Old Woman Swamp, his eyes light with wonder and he begins to cry, moved and...
(Read more)Themes: Death
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the theme of death is intricately woven throughout the narrative, symbolized through color, imagery, and foreshadowing. The story explores the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, particularly through the character of Doodle and his connection to the scarlet ibis. The use of color symbolism, particularly red, underscores the presence of death, while the imagery and foreshadowing create a somber tone that...
(Read more)Themes: Guilt
In "The Scarlet Ibis," guilt emerges as a central theme, intricately woven through the narrator's relationship with his younger brother, Doodle. The narrator's actions, driven by pride and selfish desires, ultimately lead to Doodle's tragic death. This guilt haunts the narrator, highlighting the destructive power of pride and the consequences of selfish actions.
The narrator's behavior towards Doodle is marked by a lack of empathy and...
(Read more)Themes: Conflict
Conflict is a central theme in "The Scarlet Ibis," manifesting both internally and externally. The story explores the tension between the narrator's pride and his brother Doodle's physical limitations. This struggle is set against the backdrop of a rural Southern landscape, mirroring the emotional turmoil of the characters. The conflicts in the story highlight themes of pride, brotherhood, and the destructive nature of forcing change.
The...
(Read more)Themes: Family Relationships
In "The Scarlet Ibis," family relationships are central to the narrative, exploring the complex interplay of love, pride, and regret. The story focuses on the bond between the narrator, Brother, and his younger brother, Doodle, who is born with physical disabilities. Brother's conflicting emotions towards Doodle highlight the tension between familial love and personal pride, ultimately leading to tragic consequences. This theme is woven...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
What is the theme of Doodle's lies and what does it signify about his values?
Doodle's lies in "The Scarlet Ibis" reflect his dreams and values, highlighting his love for beauty, desire to overcome his physical limitations, and need for protection. Through fantastical stories of flying and majestic creatures, Doodle expresses a longing for freedom and capability. His tales, featuring characters like Peter with protective peacocks, reveal his wish to be cared for, paralleling his relationship with his brother, who both nurtures and fails him due to pride.
The symbolism of bad weather and the storm in "The Scarlet Ibis" and its relation to the story's theme
In "The Scarlet Ibis," bad weather and the storm symbolize impending doom and foreshadow the tragic end. The storm represents the turbulent relationship between the brothers and mirrors the internal conflict and guilt felt by the narrator. This symbolism reinforces the story's themes of pride, regret, and the fragile nature of life.
James Hurst's use of literary elements to develop characters, plot, setting, and themes in "The Scarlet Ibis."
In "The Scarlet Ibis," James Hurst employs literary elements such as symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing to develop characters, plot, setting, and themes. The scarlet ibis itself symbolizes the protagonist Doodle, highlighting themes of fragility and difference. Vivid imagery describes the natural setting, enhancing the mood and tone, while foreshadowing hints at the tragic ending, deepening the reader's emotional connection to the characters and their struggles.
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