Scarlet Ibis Pride Analysis

Pride is a confusing emotion that can affect you for the rest of your life as it can be linked to shame and embarrassment. In the story “Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, Brother’s actions show he is motivated by Pride. There are many perspectives of Brother whose pride becomes a destructive force in his life. When his younger brother’s physical disability is linked to Brother’s shame and embarrassment, these emotions has tragic results. Brother’s judgment is strongly affected by his pride as it ruins his ability to reason and only thought of himself and forgot the needs of Doodle’s disability. Brother was selfish throughout the story as his pride was the reason he helped Doodle. He spent a lot of time teaching him how to walk to seem like he had …show more content…
He has the idea that disabilities are some something to be ashamed of and that a disabled person shows shame on family members. Pride ruins Brother’s ability to reason when it came to Doodle when he could not see or comprehend the effects that it had when he was teaching his brother. Brother takes Doodle to Horsehead swamp the Saturday before the first day of school even though he knows it is too late to meet the goals that he set for Doodle. Brother’s shame and pride all comes together and he can’t deal with the shame of failing so he continues trying when he knows it doesn’t matter. Brother’s pride resulted with pushing Doodle too hard as he made Doodle keep up with him as if he was a normal kid. Doodle could not handle all he activities like swimming and running because of his weak heart. Additionally, Brother does so much for Doodle, teaching him things that come naturally for normal children even taking him around. It’s nice to be proud of people we care about and it is obvious that Brother truly loves Doodle. A positive example is when Brother first recognizes that Doodle is a smart …show more content…
Looking back on the events of the past, Brother acquired wisdom only after the fact. Brother knew back then that he had to do something to make Doodle a brother to be proud of but he did not know the disastrous effects that his pride would have until it was too late. It is unique how we express feelings towards each other. Sometimes we can show affection to someone but at the same time show disgust to that same individual as Brother at last recognizes that, The harm that Brother’s pride finally treats him with vulnerability and care that he missed all along that Doodle needed. This moment is not about the Brother protecting himself but it is about protecting Doodle. Even with the unbreakable bond the two brothers have, Brother realizes that he let his pride get in the way of their relationship but Doodle did live his life to the fullest with his brother showing him how to do this. Indeed, while there are many positive actions of pride, we are not supposed to be so proud that we look down at others. Brother’s pride was the reason he helped Doodle but his primary motive was to make himself seem normal and not to make his brother feel better about