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The Scarlet Ibis Literary Analysis

Samuel Solomon Sanders

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About the Writing

Exploring the captivating narrative of James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis," a profound analysis delves into the themes of pride and redemption, as portrayed through the poignant relationship between the older brother and Doodle. Through meticulous word choice and evocative imagery, Hurst skillfully unravels the complex emotions of guilt, love, and the destructive nature of excessive pride, leading to a tragic yet redemptive climax that leaves a lasting impact on both characters and readers alike. As the story unfolds, the intricate interplay of pride as both a driving force and a destructive power resonates strongly, culminating in a haunting exploration of human flaws and the enduring consequences of unchecked ego.

The Writing

The Scarlet Ibis Literary AnalysisSamuel Solomon Sanders
00:00 / 02:46

SSS

Friday, November 12th, 2022


The Scarlet Ibis Literary Analysis


In the book "The Scarlet Ibis," by James Hurst, one of the major underlying themes can be identified as pride, viewed primarily in the actions of the older brother of Doodle. Even though most young children often lack humility and, in turn, possess an excess of pride, the actions committed by Doodle's brother throughout the story border on oppressive. The author solidifies the story's meaning with pinpoint idioms, exercising stellar word choice regularly. Words like 'rotting' and 'withered' express great sorrow or bleakness upon the reader, while others such as 'sweet' and 'huddle' support camaraderie and brotherly love. Evidence of the older brother's excessive pride is shown mainly in key expressions during tense events, such as "I was embarrassed at having a brother of that age who couldn't walk." Or, "Do you want to be different from everyone else when we start school?" These simple words vividly show the reader exactly what type of sibling and person, in general, the older brother was to Doodle: A person of selfishness yet great love for his brother. A boy believes in his infallibility, though he can use that confidence to help his brother. Sadly, the theme of selfish pride is the main attribute observed during the story and is additionally evidenced later in the book when the narrator acknowledges his devious acts from years prior. The older brother also details the seed that is pride and how it bears two vines: life and death. His recognition of pride as a "wonderful, terrible thing" shows the brother's constant reflection on his past prideful deeds. 


Additional corroboration is presented through the writer's striking imagery, specifically in the final, lurid scene of the book, "The knowledge that Doodle's and my plans had come to naught was bitter, and that streak of cruelty within me awakened." In this final event, snippets such as "The wind flared the wet, glistening leaves of the bordering leaves," and "His neck and the front of his shirt were stained a brilliant red" used accurate, evocative imagery to stimulate the reader's imagination. In the end, a wealth of pride was not only the cause of Doodle's death but a lifetime of self-condemnation. 

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