Introduction
The story “The Scarlet Ibis” which was written by James Hurst in 1960 is a vivid example of a work filled with symbolism as a literary technique. In particular, this method is used to describe the characters of the story and their and relationships. As objects of evaluation, two brothers will be considered, the narrator on whose behalf the story is presented, and his younger brother William, who is called Doodle. The interaction between the two boys is complex due to Doodle’s disabilities. Nevertheless, despite his vulnerability and congenital defects of health, the younger brother shows the strength of the mind and perseverance that are inherent in an adult. He does not despair and is ready to follow the narrator, who, despite his love for his brother, is quick-tempered and impatient. These differences will be examined, and the relationships between the two characters will be analyzed in the context of distinctive assessments of success. The disabilities of the younger brother do not prevent him from admiring the world, while the elder brother is inclined to show more pride, and these differences form the basis of the story.
Younger Brother’s Optimism
Being born with physical defects and poor coordination, Doodle was distinguished by a thirst for life and interest in the world around him. The narrator mentions his walks with the younger brother and recalls how he admired the beauty of the grass on which he sat: “It’s so pretty,” he said. “So pretty, pretty, pretty” (Hurst, p. 49). Another example is the boy’s willingness to learn to walk. Although the younger brother had such severe physical disabilities that even his parents were ready for his death, he did not want to put up with the fate of a disabled person. Doodle agrees to the storyteller’s suggestion to learn to walk, despite physicians’ disappointing predictions, and as the storyteller notes, the younger brother was successful and “was ready to show what he could do” (Hurst, p. 50). Such a desire to prove his strength characterizes the boy as a person who does not want to accept his disability status. As a result, the boy achieves results and surprises not only the brother but also his parents, who are surprised and delighted by the stubbornness of their son and the outcomes of his training.
Another example of the boy’s thirst for life is his attitude to a wounded bird. The scarlet ibis that appeared at their site excited the child and forced him to run out of the house in dismay. The narrator describes the situation as follows: “Doodle’s hands were clasped at his throat, and I had never seen him stand still so long” (Hurst, p. 51). The boy is very impressed with what he sees and aims to provide all possible assistance to the wounded bird. He does not want to accept its death, but after he understands what happened, he intends to bury the bird on his own. Such respect for a living creature is no coincidence and is a deliberate author’s technique. Hurst draws an analogy between the bird and Doodle, and the title of the story confirms this since the behavior of the child is much like the action of the wounded ibis. For example, the narrator mentions the boy’s “awkwardness at digging the hole” (p. 52). Thus, Doodle’s optimism is reflected in his actions and the purity of the character’s thoughts, while his healthy brother has a sharper temper.
Elder Brother’s Pride
The ambiguity of the elder brother’s relationships with the younger one lies in several aspects, and pride is one of the key behavioral factors that distinguish him from Doodle. The narrator himself argues this when he recalls the stubborn exercises of his brother: “I knew he was watching me, watching for a sign of mercy” (Hurst, p. 52). Although the elder child is physically healthy, he is sometimes ashamed of his disabled brother, which is natural for his age. At the same time, he cannot be called a cruel child. He shows condescension to Doodle’s attempts, but he does not have the same optimism and thirst for life. Perhaps, since he does not need to go through all the hardships of his younger brother daily, he cannot understand how many efforts the disabled boy has to deal with to achieve success. Sometimes, the elder brother is annoyed, although he regrets it afterward. Therefore, his behavior is harsher, and pride is one of the proofs.
The love of the elder brother to the younger one is not obvious, but it is manifested in detail, although the nature of the narrator does not allow him to support the disabled child with tenderness. Even after the narrator decides to teach Doodle to walk, he confirms that he is not ready to accept any failure and is unhappy with how slowly their workouts are progressing. After the younger brother ceases to show significant results, the elder brother states the following: “I should have already admitted defeat, but my pride wouldn’t let me” (Hurst, p. 50). Therefore, despite his support, the narrator cannot show Doodle his full love, and a sharp character is one of the reasons for this behavior.
Outcomes of Different Behaviors
The ending of the story shows how the nature of the elder brother influenced the life of the other boy. After he runs away from Doodle in displeasure that the latter does not demonstrate good training outcomes, the disabled boy dies, leaving the narrator in confusion and despair. The elder brother’s pride was one of the reasons why he paid little attention to Doodle and did not wait for him. As a result, the story ends with the following words: “I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain” (Hurst, p. 53). The comparison with the previously dead bird is intentional since both the external image and the inner desire of the younger brother to live are reflected in the story. The elder brother is more introverted and sometimes too tough, while the younger one is open to the knowledge of the world and different from his peers. Therefore, the story ends with an obvious comparison and shows how the different characters of the boys led to the finale.
Conclusion
The distinctive natures of the two brothers are the key indicators of their behaviors and perception of the world, and comparing Doodle with the scarlet ibis is the author’s intentional method. The narrator tends to be proud, and despite his love for his brother, he is sometimes irritable. Doodle, conversely, demonstrates a desire to live and get to know the world and does everything possible to please his loved ones. Therefore, both characters differ significantly, and the ending of the story puts everything in its place.
Work Cited
Hurst, James. “The Scarlet Ibis.” Atlantic Monthly, 1960, pp. 48-53.