The Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis Background James Hurst published in the July 1960 Author Publication Influence James Hurst published in the July 1960 "The Scarlet Ibis" was the first and only work of Hurst's to achieve widespread success.

The Scarlet Ibis Background, Con’t: The Bird Itself Native of the South American tropics The scarlet ibis is vivid red, but loses its color if it doesn’t eat the proper diet It needs a particular habitat in order to thrive The scarlet ibis is an endangered species which has not bred successfully in its natural habitat since the 1960s.

The Scarlet Ibis Background, Con’t: The Story Explores the conflicts between love and pride and draws attention to the effects of familial and societal expectations on those who are handicapped. Draws a powerful symbolic connection between the handicapped child Doodle and the beautiful and rare Scarlet Ibis

Literary Focus Symbols The Scarlet Ibis Connections Between The Scarlet Ibis and Doodle In the course of the story, Doodle becomes symbolically identified with a rare and beautiful Scarlet Ibis 1a.The Scarlet ibis, an exotic bird that does not belong in the narrator's region, land in their backyard 1b.Doodle is forced to do things that he should not have to try to do and is forced out of his element 2a.The red bird falls from the tree it is in, and lands dead at the feet of Doodle’s family 2b.Forces of out of his element Doodle loses his color (as a Scarlet Ibis would) and his health declines The shaded area of the map highlights the region populated by the Scarlet Ibis

Symbols, Con’t: Coffin and Go-Cart Weather Representative of both the expectations of Doodle’s family and Doodle’s ability to overcome those expectations (that he is going to die as an infant and that he will never walk) Reflects the mood of the story—the weather often mirrors if good or bad things are happening in the story

Expectations and Limitations Brotherly Love Beauty Found in the Unique Literary Focus Themes and Conflicts Love Pride Disabilities Expectations and Limitations Brotherly Love Beauty Found in the Unique Age and Experience

Hurst frequently uses foreshadowing to suggest an upcoming event. Literary Focus Foreshadowing Hurst frequently uses foreshadowing to suggest an upcoming event. In “The Scarlet Ibis” this most clearly used to hint at death coming: Doctor's warning about Doodle's weak heart, to foreshadow the death of Doodle The changing of seasons being described in terms of “death” and rebirth

Literary Focus Point of View Irony The story is told as a first-person reminiscence by Brother This is noteworthy because Brother is looking back on events from his childhood with the maturity of an adult. The narration is would suggest that the story would be told with sympathy for Brother, but because of the honesty of the narrative, Doodle is the more sympathetic character Furthermore, Brother’s attempts to help Doodle are ultimately harmful to him