In The Scarlet Ibis, Herse uses symbolism to convey a melancholic mood that fits the story just right. As the story progresses, Doodle ends up dying, because of his brother’s selfish actions. The death is bloody, which symbolizes the death of the scarlet ibis that was found in Doodle’s backyard. The scarlet ibis is a bright red bird that inhabits tropical areas, and it was extraordinary to come across one in the United States. Doodle ends up dying because he is left out in a rainstorm by his big brother, and gets cut in the throat. Thereafter, a coffin is found towards the beginning of the story by the big brother. Doodle’s father orders a coffin to be built. Doodle did not die as the doctor thought he would, but the presence of death is
