Metaphors In The Scarlet Ibis

As the Scarlet Ibis died, like a vase of red tainted flowers being broken, so did Doodle. The relationship between Doodle and Brother was a complex one. Doodle was born with a disease that stunted his abilities to grow resulting in the constant need of support from Brother. His life became tainted by Brother’s pride when Brother could not control how he acted around him.
In the story, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, the theme pride can lead to the destruction or happiness of a person is revealed through the use of metaphors. Firstly, the theme pride can produce two contradictory outcomes is portrayed by metaphors. For example, Doodle and Brother are sitting at Old Woman Swamp, when Brother tells Doodle he will teach him how to walk. Doodle is convinced he will never walk because he was born with a disease that limited his ability to grow and everyone says he cannot, but Brother forces Doodle to learn only because he is ashamed of what he cannot do. He believes Doodle is what he will become proud of. According to Brother, “ I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death.” (Hurst 3). The quote uses a metaphor to show that two products can come out of pride by comparing it to a vine.The pride Brother exhibited was beneficial when it increased the life expectancy of Doodle. His pride was then destructive when it pushed Doodle to his death. Therefore, pride can be a benefit by adding happiness to …show more content…
Pride can produce two outcomes, one of joy and one of death. Pride can also become overwhelming. The positive outcome of pride can be seen when Brother teaches Doodle how to walk, but the negative outcome of pride is also seen when Doodle dies. Ultimately, pride is a feeling that is felt, but one must be careful in how it affects them and those around