Introducing the Story

Literary Focus: Symbols

Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details

The Scarlet Ibisby James Hurst

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The Scarlet Ibisby James Hurst

The Scarlet IbisIntroducing the Story

I thought myself pretty smart at many things . . .

The Scarlet IbisIntroducing the Story

In “The Scarlet Ibis” the narrator tells of his experience growing up with his physically disabled brother, Doodle, on a farm in the South.

• The narrator develops a bond with his younger brother and teaches him to walk. But he learns a tragic lesson when he pushes Doodle too hard.

I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death.

—from “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst

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The Scarlet IbisLiterary 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.

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.

The Scarlet IbisLiterary Focus: Symbols

• This symbolism can help deepen your understanding of the character.

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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.

The Scarlet IbisReading Skills: Making Inferences from Details

Prior Knowledge

• about how stories work

• about your own life experiences

Evidence from Text

• descriptions

• setting

• dialogue

+ = Inference

One way to make better inferences is to notice important details in the story.

The Scarlet IbisReading Skills: Making Inferences from Details

• 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.

Pay attention to details as you read “The Scarlet Ibis,” and practice making inferences. Keep track of the little things:

The Scarlet IbisReading Skills: Making Inferences from Details

What larger meanings can you infer from these details?

trees colors flowers

gestures weatheranimals

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Agree or Disagree?

1. I am thankful for my siblings.2. I am sometimes jealous of my siblings.3. I am often embarrassed by my siblings.4. I have pushed what I wanted onto another person I care about only to regret it later.5. I want to feel proud of my family members.

Agree or Disagree, continued

6. I am uncomfortable with someone who has a physical or mental handicap.7. My pride has gotten the best of me, only for me to regret it later.8. If I have hurt someone and know it, I apologize.9. My siblings know that I love them.10. I have found myself taking advantage of my siblings even though I know that is wrong.

Ideas to Consider

“At times I was mean to Doodle. One day I took him up to the barn loft and showed him his casket, telling him how we all believed he would die.”

Predict: How might the relationship between the two brothers affect the story?

“The Scarlett Ibis” reveals that cruelty and selfishness can be entwined with love. Motivated by pride and self-interest, the narrator helps his disabled brother learn to walk and swim. Not satisfied, the narrator pushes for more. Only later does the narrator realize the depth of his feelings for his brother.