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 Doodle’s life, the narrator attempts to dissociate himself from his brother. To avoid having to continue publicly chauffeuring his sibling, who he says is “a sight” with a too-big sunhat in a go-cart, he intentionally oversets the vehicle, injuring Doodle. When rough treatment fails to keep Doodle from clinging to him, the narrator accepts that he will be associated with his brother. As a result, he begins working to eliminate the sources of shame he identifies in Doodle. The narrator insists Doodle continue his program of exercise despite the spell of fevers and nightmares the younger boy begins to experience. The narrator appears motivated by both fear of shame (he is aware that Doodle’s first day of school is coming) and a prideful admiration of his younger brother’s growth and determination, which have overcome all the doctor’s predictions. Ultimately, it is this pride that causes him to push Doodle too far. The younger boy, exhausted from weeks of exercise, can’t keep up and dies in the attempt. Though the narrator has clearly come to love his brother, his pride blinds him to Doodle’s limitations, and his fear of shame seals Doodle’s fate.
Expert Q&A
In "The Scarlet Ibis," what statement by the narrator reveals his selfishness?
The narrator's selfishness in "The Scarlet Ibis" is revealed through statements like, "To discourage his coming with me, I'd run with him across the ends of the cotton rows and careen him around corners on two wheels. Sometimes I accidentally turned him over," and "They did not know that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed at having a crippled brother." These highlight his desire to rid himself of the burden and his shame-driven motives.
Analysis of Pride and Figurative Language in "The Scarlet Ibis" Quote
The quote from "The Scarlet Ibis" highlights the dual nature of pride, described through metaphor and oxymoron. Pride is compared to a seed that grows two vines, symbolizing both life and death, illustrating how it can lead to positive outcomes but also destructive consequences. The oxymoron "wonderful, terrible thing" emphasizes pride's contradictory nature. Brother's pride in teaching Doodle to walk initially brings life but ultimately leads to Doodle's death, underscoring the peril of misguided motivations.
In "The Scarlet Ibis," what sin does the brother believe caused his actions?
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the brother believes that his actions were driven by pride, which he considers a sin. He admits that his pride prevented him from accepting Doodle's disabilities and motivated him to push Doodle to achieve physical feats, ultimately leading to tragic consequences. This pride, which he describes as louder than any other voice, contributed to Doodle's exhaustion and death, highlighting the destructive nature of his prideful actions.
The narrator in "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst: Prideful or Guilty?
In "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the narrator exhibits both pride and guilt. His pride drives him to push his disabled brother, Doodle, beyond his limits, leading to tragic consequences. This pride is later overshadowed by guilt as he reflects on how his actions contributed to Doodle's death.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
