Mandy Bidinger- Symbolism in The Scarlet Ibis

In James Hursts short story, The Scarlet Ibis, symbolism is used to reflect an ominous tone that
foreshadows the conclusion, and is used to enhance the theme of pride overriding love.
The short story is about two brothers, one of whom was born with a heart condition and not
predicted to live very long. After a few months when it was evident that his passing was not very soon, he
was named William Armstrong in which the narrator comments: Such a name sounds good only on a
tombstone, (Hurst 1) already foreshadowing the death of William. To further foreshadow Doodles death,
symbolism is used in the showing of Doodles old casket, and in the death of the scarlet ibis: [] the wings
were uncoordinated, and amid much flapping and a spray of feathers, it tumbled down [] even death did
not mar its grace, (Hurst 5). The scarlet ibis represents Doodle, both in the lack of his physical ability and
his imminent death.
The Scarlet Ibis is written in past tense in which the narrator has a somber yet guilty tone: There
is within me [} a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love, much as our blood sometimes bears the
seed of our destruction (Hurst 2). Doodles death occurs when he and his brother are racing, and his
brothers pride overcomes him and he forgets about Doodle and his physical disabilities. Doodles red
blood, described as brilliant red (Hurst 6) is symbolic because it portrays a grave seen, but expresses it as
brilliant, similarly to the death of the scarlet ibis in which it had not lost its grace. When Doodle dies, the
brothers love is clear, but his guilt is just as present.
Through symbolism Doodles death is foreshadowed and the brothers love and pride is also
depicted, which enhances the foreboding tone and the theme. These elements contribute to the anticipation
of the end where the brothers pride overrides his love, and Doodles death is a result.



Comment [01]: Delete
Comment [02]: *change to enhances
Comment [03]: Change to his death seemed to
be inevitable
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Comment [BAN5]: Insert: who is called Doodle
because of his disabilities
Comment [06]: Change to Hurst describes
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Comment [08]: Change to The narrator of the
story expresses his somber yet guilty tone when he
states
Comment [BAN9]: Change to Doodles
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Comment [011]: Insert the blood
Comment [012]: Vibrant
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Comment [014]: Change to The imagery and
symbolism in the Scarlet Ibis conveys the theme of
pride overriding love and foreshadows the ominous
ending through a foreboding tone.
Comment [BAN15]: Delete