Symbolism In The Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis is the story of two brothers and focuses on the conflict in their stormy Relationship. The younger brother, “Doodle” is physically disabled, and the narrator and older sibling “Brother” is embarrassed by Doodle’s disabilities. Brother’s emotions towards Doodle are conflicted; he loves Doodle, but he is also ashamed of him and pushes him past his breaking point teaching him to talk and walk. Brother’s pride is the real reason that he wants to teach Doodle and this pride is both wonderful and terrible at the same time. He treats him unfairly and without compassion at times, pulling him recklessly in the wagon (335), and walking too fast so that Doodle can not keep pace with him (340). As the narrator of the story, Brother …show more content…
The color red is symbolic as it often refers to death, as when Doodle dies in front of a red nightshade bush (344). When Brother finds him there, he describes him as his “fallen Scarlet Ibis”, crying “” Doodle, Doodle.”” There was no answer but the ropy rain and I began to weep, and the tear blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar.” (344). Doodle’s body as a baby is described as being red (333), and when he dies, his blood stains his skin and his shirt red (344). The Scarlet Ibis is a carefully chosen symbol and is linked and compared with Doodle from the beginning of the plot. Like the Ibis, Doodle is alone, different and singled out; he and the Ibis are weak, sickly and unable to survive in the World and both of them die alone, in storms, away from their homes. Brother does not realize just how alike Doodle and the Ibis are until he holds Doodle's body in his arms at the very end, noticing the red of Doodle's blood and the fragility of his limp body (344). The story builds up to this powerful symbol at the end and during the final storm. Brother turns his back on Doodle, and sadly realizes that his own selfish pride killed his brother, his beloved Scarlet