1. The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Page 415
CCRS – RL ; RL ; RL ; RL ; RL ; R ; SL ; L ; L
Literary Skills – Understand symbolism
Reading Skills – Make inferences from details
ARI – Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension

2. The Scarlet Ibis Literary Focus: Symbols
A symbol is an object, event, person, or animal that stands for something more than itself.
Symbols are all around you in your everyday life. Their special meanings have been handed down over time.

3. The Scarlet Ibis Literary Focus: Symbols
In “The Scarlet Ibis,” you’ll notice similarities and links between one character and a bird.
Pay attention to how the author makes a symbolic connection between the character and the bird.
This symbolism can help deepen your understanding of the character.

4. The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details
As you read a story, you make inferences, or educated guesses, about what the writer is trying to say.
You can base your inferences on your own prior knowledge and on evidence from the text.
Prior Knowledge
about how stories work
about your own life experiences
Evidence from Text
descriptions
setting
dialogue
Inference + =

5. The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details
One way to make better inferences is to notice important details in the story.
Details may seem insignificant at first, but most writers choose details carefully to help convey a certain meaning or message.
Colors, seasons, names, times, objects, animals, and clothing—almost any little thing can help you make inferences about meaning.

6. The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details
Pay attention to details as you read “The Scarlet Ibis,” and practice making inferences. Keep track of the little things:
trees
colors
flowers
animals
gestures
weather
What larger meanings can you infer from these details?

7. The Scarlet Ibis Background p. 414
The story is set in the American South. Its climax takes place in 1918, the year World War I ended. You’ll find references in the story to battles being fought far away from its peaceful southern setting. As you read, think about why the author chose this setting.
The physical setting— American South in 1918
The historical setting— end of World War I

8. The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
sullenly adv.: resentfully; gloomily.
imminent adj.: near; about to happen.
iridescent adj.: rainbowlike; displaying a shifting range of colors.
serene adj.: peaceful; calm.
infallibility n.: inability to make a mistake.

9. The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
blighted v. used as adj.: suffering from conditions that destroy or prevent growth.
doggedness n.: stubbornness; persistence.
reiterated v.: repeated.
precariously adv.: unsteadily; insecurely.
mar v.: damage; spoil.

10. The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity: Sentence Completion
Fill in the blanks with the correct Word Bank words.
iridescent blighted serene precariously imminent
1. The sudden thunder disturbed the ___________ mood.
2. The sunlight cast an ___________ glow over the lake.
3. A darkening sky warned that a storm was ___________ .
4. The crops are ___________ due to the severe drought.
5. The trembling bird perched ___________ on a tree limb.
serene
iridescent
imminent
blighted
precariously

11. The Scarlet Ibis Quickwrite
Make the Connection
1. Make a list of situations that might make someone feel proud. 2. Is pride positive or negative—can it be both? Jot down your thoughts about what it means to be proud.

12. While Reading
Answer the Making Inferences questions throughout the story.
What is the effect of the author’s use of flashback?
Explain the conflicting motivation of the narrator in his treatment of his brother.

13. Activity
Explain your opinion of the narrator’s behavior at the end of the story. Is he in some way responsible for Doodle’s death? Cite at least one reference to the story.
The story would be a very different story if it were told through Doodle’s eyes. Pick a key scene in the story and tell it through Doodle’s eyes. Use the first person point of view.
P. 429 Word Knowledge Practice 1 (1-10)
P. 429 Figurative Language Practice 2 (1 & 2)