"The Scarlet Ibis""The Scarlet Ibis"by James Hurstby James Hurst
““At times I was mean to Doodle. At times I was mean to Doodle. One day I took him up to the barn One day I took him up to the barn loft and showed him his casket, loft and showed him his casket,
telling him how we all believed he telling him how we all believed he would die.”would die.”
““The Scarlet Ibis”The Scarlet Ibis”
• A story about two brothersA story about two brothers• The Narrator – Older brotherThe Narrator – Older brother• ““Doodle” – Younger brother that has a severe Doodle” – Younger brother that has a severe
physical disabilityphysical disability
• What is an Ibis?What is an Ibis?• A long-legged water bird related to the heron, A long-legged water bird related to the heron,
crane, and stork. Ibises eat plants, small crane, and stork. Ibises eat plants, small shellfish, and mollusks. Ancient Egyptians shellfish, and mollusks. Ancient Egyptians worshipped the sacred Ibis of Northern Africa, a worshipped the sacred Ibis of Northern Africa, a relative of the scarlet ibis in this story. Altogether relative of the scarlet ibis in this story. Altogether there are about 20 different species of Ibis.there are about 20 different species of Ibis.
““The Scarlet Ibis”The Scarlet Ibis”
•Symbolism – What is a Symbolism – What is a symbol?symbol?•A simple image that A simple image that represents a big concept or represents a big concept or ideaidea
•A symbol is an object, person, A symbol is an object, person, animal, or event that stands animal, or event that stands for something more than itself. for something more than itself.
What is a symbol?What is a symbol?
• Consider the idea of a skull and crossbones. Consider the idea of a skull and crossbones. What does it traditionally symbolize?What does it traditionally symbolize?
What is a symbol?What is a symbol?• Now think of the image of a shamrock. What does Now think of the image of a shamrock. What does
this traditionally symbolize?this traditionally symbolize?
SYMBOLS ARE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION!SYMBOLS ARE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION!
SymbolsSymbols
•In literature, symbols add In literature, symbols add deeper levels of meaning to a deeper levels of meaning to a piece of writing.piece of writing.
•Pay attention to how the Pay attention to how the author uses symbols in this author uses symbols in this story to move us deeply as story to move us deeply as readers. readers.
SummarySummary
• The story’s 1The story’s 1stst person narrator relates a story from person narrator relates a story from his past. his past.
• His little brother, Doodle, is born physically disabled. His little brother, Doodle, is born physically disabled. Doodle is expected to die, yet he lives.Doodle is expected to die, yet he lives.
• The narrator must care for his brother, taking him The narrator must care for his brother, taking him everywhere in a go-cart.everywhere in a go-cart.
• He is often frustrated by this burden, but after much He is often frustrated by this burden, but after much effort he succeeds in teaching Doodle how to walk.effort he succeeds in teaching Doodle how to walk.
• Proud of this success, the narrator works to teach Proud of this success, the narrator works to teach him how to run, swim, climb trees, and fight. him how to run, swim, climb trees, and fight.
Summary Cont.Summary Cont.
• In a symbolic episode that foreshadows the story’s In a symbolic episode that foreshadows the story’s tragic resolution, Doodle buries a fallen bird – the tragic resolution, Doodle buries a fallen bird – the brilliant, scarlet ibis.brilliant, scarlet ibis.
• Later that day, the strain of trying to learn physical Later that day, the strain of trying to learn physical skills leaves Doodle gravely weakened.skills leaves Doodle gravely weakened.
• In the final scene, Doodle collapses and dies while In the final scene, Doodle collapses and dies while running to catch up with his brother, who left him in running to catch up with his brother, who left him in the middle of a thunderstorm.the middle of a thunderstorm.
• The narrator feels guilt for his brother’s death and The narrator feels guilt for his brother’s death and he discovers too late the extent of his feelings for he discovers too late the extent of his feelings for his brother.his brother.
