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 understanding. From the beginning, he is embarrassed by Doodle's disabilities and driven by a desire to transform him into a "normal" brother. This is evident when he pushes Doodle to walk, not out of love, but to avoid embarrassment. His relentless pushing continues as he forces Doodle to keep up with him, ignoring Doodle's frailty. The narrator's actions are rooted in selfishness, as he prioritizes his own desires over Doodle's well-being.

"Do you want to be different from everybody else when you start school?"

"Does it make any difference?"

"It certainly does."

The narrator's guilt is compounded by his awareness of his own cruelty. He recognizes his actions as selfish and unkind, yet continues to push Doodle beyond his limits. This internal conflict is evident as he recalls the painful memories of his time with Doodle, filled with both sweet and excruciatingly painful moments. The narrator's guilt is a signal that his moral compass has gone astray, and he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

As the story progresses, the narrator's state of mind evolves from pride and frustration to profound remorse. His guilt is most palpable in the story's climax, where he abandons Doodle during a storm, leading to Doodle's death. The narrator's tears and self-abhorrence reveal the depth of his guilt, as he realizes the role he played in his brother's demise.

I began to weep, and the tear-blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar. "Doodle!" I screamed above the pounding storm and threw my body to the earth above his. For a long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.

The narrator's journey in "The Scarlet Ibis" is a poignant exploration of guilt and its lasting impact. His relentless pursuit of his own desires, at the expense of Doodle's well-being, leads to irreversible consequences. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of empathy and acceptance.