Before we discuss this in class, here are some points to consider:
If you read carefully, you will note that the story of the "Scarlet Ibis" unfolds against the backdrop of World War I. What commentary do you think Hurst is making in this tale?
What symbolic connection is there between the scarlet ibis and Doodle?
How is color imagery used in this story?
Why is the narrator known only as "Brother"?
Review the graphic description of Doodle's death at the end of the tale. What has metaphorically happened here?
How is the thematic concept of pride relevant to the tale? What theme can you derive from this concept?
How about brotherhood?
If you read carefully, you will note that the story of the "Scarlet Ibis" unfolds against the backdrop of World War I. What commentary do you think Hurst is making in this tale?
What symbolic connection is there between the scarlet ibis and Doodle?
How is color imagery used in this story?
Why is the narrator known only as "Brother"?
Review the graphic description of Doodle's death at the end of the tale. What has metaphorically happened here?
How is the thematic concept of pride relevant to the tale? What theme can you derive from this concept?
How about brotherhood?
34 comments:
OMG!!!! that was so sad!!! i was crying by myself in my room. the story was so... I can't put into words. i was replaying the scene in my head over and over. i could picture Doodle so clearly... it's so sad. i would feel terrible if i was the narrator. i was wondering why the brother's name wasn't mentioned. the symbolism and the picture setting of the scarlet ibis with Doodle still gets to me. OMG!!! i think i'm going to read it again... hehe
:( That was really sad! Even though I guessed from the beginning that Doodle was going to die, I still hoped that he wouldn't and at the end when he did, I was shocked. How did he die? What was the blood on his mouth and neck from???
Remember that Doodle was born with heart problems. His heart exploded, so literally (and metaphorically), his brother broke his heart.
Is that not THE saddest thing you ever read?!?!?!?
It was only a little bit sad. I expected it. Plus, the narrator reffered to Doodle in the past tense. And yeah, why is he known as "Brother". Does it have to do with pride and how ashamed he was by leaving his brother behind?
His heart EXPLODED!!!! that's so sad!!! i knew Doodle was sick, but i didn't imagine his heart exploding... T.T
i think that this story is going to make me cry every time i read it.
THANKS ALOT MISS ARNEY!! THAT WAS THE SADDEST STORY IVE EVER READ! I CRIED SO BAD!! the story just hits me in the gut when "brother" says "i began to weep, and the tear-blurred vision in red before me looked VERY FAMILIAR[...]I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis[..]" that was so depressing and I can't even put it to words.
This story is so depressing, I felt so bad for "brother" in the end. I could tell that he was probably going to die but its just so sad... seeing the narrator lose somone he loved so much. I can't imagine how much that must hurt.
I did not understand that his heart literally exploded until i reread the ending a couple of times. But it does make sense because of its two meanings.
I thought that the color imagery really added to the story, to see the scarlett ibis and then all the red used in the end really tied things together. The red is kind of like the sledgehammer in case the reader missed the connections.
I don't know if this is correct but I think that Doddle may in a way represent the soldiers in WWI.
Lastly, can anyone explain the whole pride thing to me? I am a little confused about it.
I would agree with Amelia that it was only a little bit sad. When reading you know Doodle will die and the brother will cause it. A reader could expect it so it wasn't that sad. Through the describitions everything was very clear, you could see Doodle and the setting in your mind. If i was his brother i would feel horrible in causing his death.
do we have to answer the guiding questions you put up on the website Miss Arney?
Since there's no random forum I'm asking a question here. Where are the grammar and vocab challenges that you said you would put up (on the agenda page)?
Melissa: No!!! They are optional; if you can answer them in your head, you will do well on the quizzes. If there are any you cannot answer, write it down and bring it up during class discussion...and I'm sorry that you, Yena, and Maria found it so sad, but I look forward to you guys yelling at me on Monday.
Maria: I actually didn't put it up...I didn't know if anyone actually wanted to do it. If people are interested in an extra credit before Monday, I'll do it tonight....and there is a random forum for this quarter; look for my dog's picture. It's an older post.
One more note: I MISS YOU GUYS!
I also thought that the story was sad. i knew Doodle would die though. i hated doodle's brother because he really liked doodle but was maen to him. Miss Arney i am also interested in extra credit.
I feel badly that this forum has abandoned Doodle, but I wanted to alert you that there is an extra credit grammar challenge posted on our website. Poor Doodle!
Doodle has not been abandoned. Just some things have been added.
Haha
I was more upset with the fact that "brother" left Doodle in the middle of a storm than his actual death. Maybe if "brother" had gone back to help him sooner he would have a had a chance to be with his family before he died.
that story was sad i cried so much and does anyone else feel that it is kind of the brothers fault? Also it is so heart wrenching that his last words are don't leave me brother=[.
I completely agree with what you just said Molly.
Now you ladies are thinking like scholars!
I believe that Hurst was foreshadowing Doodle's death when Aunt Nicey says, "'Dead birds is bad luck...Specially red dead birds!'" Also, the ibis died shortly before the death of Doodle. Both Doodle and the bird died because of a storm. Brother comments on the odd state of the legs on both the ibis and Doodle when they die. Finally, the red color of the ibis represents the red blood dripping from Doodle's mouth.
ok people stop crying it wasn't That sad haha. But im still confused on what physicaly made his heart explode. was he overworked or something or was it because of the impact of the fall?
Well done, Kieran! Ladies, I think the guys are taking over the blog!
Nick: remember that he was born physically weak -- he wasn't even supposed to be able to walk. His brother running away caused him to overexert himself.
Anyone beginning to see any TKM parallels yet?
o ok i was just confused because it said he had been able to keep up before. thanks though
I don't really know how TKM and this are related but I'm going to guess anyway. Is Doodle sort of like a mockingbird? Because he is so small, innocent, and hopeless but still his brother doesn't like him at some times. Also, the two brothers are kind of like Jem and Scout because of the relationship they have...sometimes really close but at other times not.
it was sad nick!! And yes I see how Doodle is like a mockingbird in some ways because he is an inocent creature, well not creature, but he is an inocent human being that was given trouble in his life. And what the brother did, by not coming back for him, is kind of like shootting a mockingbird.
I didn't think of it until you said it but it does relate to TKM. Doodle is like a mockingbird. He is completely innocent. He never tried to hurt anyone but because he was different and stood out from the crowd, people picked on him. I think that this is completely unjust and unfair. However it shows that some people can't handle any differences, whether they may be skin color or disabilities.
couldn't this relate TKM and to judging people before you get to know them? like the jury made judgments about Tom Robinson and said he was guilty before he stated his case and didn't give him a chance to prove his innocence and the doctor and the family judged Doodle early without knowing what he was capable of doing and with out giving him a chance to walk, to run, or to even live more than a week.
I also think that Doodle could relate to Dill from TKM because they both don't have a great family life. Dill is ignored by his parents and Doodle is somewhat neglected. His family didn't think he would be able to do much, let alone live. His brother doesn't really like him either; he just wants what is best for himself. They are also physically similar, being so small.
Doodle can be referred to as a mockingbird, just like Tom Robinson was a mockingbird. They also both of disabilities/differences (Doodle's heart condition and Tom's arm). The red color of the bird and the blood can represent emotion or danger. The ibis was red and if it really was a bad omen like the aunt said, then that's dangerous. Also, Doodle was so emotionally attached to the dead ibis. Also in the story when the dead ibis is found, someone says something about 'how many miles had the bird traveled to die like this?' That sort of represents Doodle because he had come so far and then dies a tragic death.
What are the allusions and themes for the scarlet ibis?
Is it ironic that Doodle has so much love for his brother even when he makes him touch his coffin even though Doodle has a heart that is too small for his body. Also Doodle has a lot of love for nature and animals that other people can't see.
The symbolic link between Doodle and the scarlet ibis is that both are rare, unique, defensless, and outsiders.
Also, in the short story, their mother tells Doodle not to touch the scarlet ibis because it might have a disease. But, Brother also felt similar to that regarding Doodle. He taught Doodle to walk so that kids wouldn't make fun of Brother or Doodle. In a way, Mother's reaction to the exotic bird is similar to how Brother thought that other children would react to Doodle because he is crippled.
I think Brother can relate to Scout from TKM because they both are adults when narrating their stories. Also they are both reliable narrators telling the story from what really happened.
Thank you for your posts. This thread is now closed.
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