Foreshadowing In The Scarlet Ibis

Naturally, people have high expectations of others in order to satisfy their own selfish needs. These expectations can result in negative consequences. The short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst portrays the narrator’s feelings of deep sorrow in response to Doodle’s tragic death. The author illustrates this painful emotion dramatically through the use of literary elements. He utilizes foreshadowing to disclose future events through clues. Additionally, the writer uses significant imagery in various settings to intensify the narrator’s feelings of sorrow. The author offers hints to foreshadow unfolding events to inform the reader that the narrator will encounter sorrow. One example of these hints is the instance where Doodle’s family discovers the ill scarlet ibis and witnesses its death. The narrator’s father cleverly suggests that the bird is “sick” (561). Moments later, the scarlet ibis begins to “flutter” (562) as it “tumbled down, bumping through the limbs of the bleeding tree and landing” (562). Hurst describes the bird with …show more content…
Foreshadowing was used to connect various scenes to Doodle’s death. It allowed the reader to have an expectation that something would occur in future events. Hurst wanted the reader to know that the climax was about to happen. Setting as a literary element was utilized to increase the emotion of sorrow. Instead of creating a mild atmosphere of sorrow, the author uses setting to enhance the meaning of each scene. The narrator desired to have a normal brother, and because of this selfish wish, he set high standards for Doodle. He expected more than what Doodle could handle. Ironically, his selfishness resulted in his brother’s death. People tend to be impatient with what they want and set high but unrealistic expectations. However the individual should learn to be grateful with what they