The narrator (years after his brother's death) reflects on how he treated him. His brother was born with a physical impairment and he always wanted a brother who could do all the active things he could do. He teaches him to walk at five and then to climb, swim, and row, but when his brother struggles, the narrator gets frustrated and shows his cruel streak. One day, he gets particularly frustrated and runs away from his brother, leaving him behind. When he comes back for him, his brother has died from a heart attack/heart failure.Who is the Author of The Scarlet Ibis?James HurstSetting
What Time Period does Scarlet Ibis take place?World War I (approx. 1918)Setting
Where does Scarlet Ibis take Place?The South (United States)Setting
What other important details are there in Scarlet Ibis that would deal with the Setting?Lots of wooded area/swamps where they live; nature plays a big role in the story (all the outdoor activity the narrator loves to do, the scarlet ibis, the storm that Doodle dies in, the beauty that Doodle sees in Old Woman Swamp)
Set in a time before much was known about heart disease, so the narrator (and his family) would not have understood Doodle's limitations as much and less was available to help DoodlePoint of View; Narrator
Is Scarlet Ibis written in First Person or Third Person?First PersonPoint of View; Narrator
Is the Narrator Omniscient or Limited in Scarlet Ibis?Limited (we only know how the narrator feels; we do not know how Doodle or others feel)Point of View; Narrator
Does Scarlet Ibis have an Objective Point of View?No. We know narrator's (strong) feelings and thoughts.Who are the Characters in Scarlet Ibis?1) Narrator - young, about 12, frustrated by brother's physical limitations (and doesn't understand them), wants to help his brother be what he refers to as "normal" (wants him to have the same physical abilities as he has), teaches Doodle to walk and later to row, swim, etc., has a cruel streak. Leaves Doodle behind in a storm; Doodle dies. 2) Doodle - young, 5 and 6, heart condition, loves and admires his older brother (narrator), wants to make brother happy, has a fear of being left alone.Character
Who is the Protagonist in Scarlet Ibis?NarratorCharacter
Who is the Antagonist in Scarlet Ibis?Doodle (real name WILLIAM ARMSTRONG) - or at least his physical limitations are the antagonistCharacter
Who is another important character in Scarlet Ibis?Aunt: part of the foreshadowing in the story. She likes the name William Armstrong. She also says that a dead bird is a bad sign, and a red dead bird is even more of a bad sign.What would be the Conflict in Scarlet Ibis?Person v. Person (Narrator's conflict with Doodle); Person v. Nature (Narrator's frustration with Doodle's physical limitations, which is the main conflict of his YOUTH); Person v. Self (Narrator's conflict with himself over the guilt he feels for Doodle's death. which is the main conflict when the narrator is OLDER and writing the story)What are three Themes' throughout Scarlet Ibis?One theme or purpose/message of story: When we don't think through our actions, the choices we make sometimes have unintended consequences that we may have to live with the rest of our lives.
We learn from our mistakes and past choices and can use what we learn to become better people.
The passing of time can help us see and understand the past more clearly.What would be considered Symbolism throughout Scarlet Ibis?Scarlet Ibis: represents Doodle. Some of the similarities include -- bird is different from other birds in the area (Doodle is unique); bird is ill (Doodle has been getting more and more ill right before this); bird was traveling in a storm (Doodle is later in a storm); bird dies (Doodle dies); bird is brilliant shade of red (Doodle later has bright red on his shirt from blood); bird found under tree (Doodle found under bush). Seeing Doodle as like this beautiful, fallen bird is how the narrator sees Doodle in present day (long after Doodle has died), and it shows us that he is truly seeing the beauty of Doodle and seeing Doodle for who he is (instead of his physical limitations); also Blood: represents the scarlet ibis and the guilt the narrator feels for Doodle's tragic deathWhat would be considered
