The use of symbolism adds meaning to complex concepts. Symbols are used to represent ideas authors want to get across to the reader. In the “Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurs the use of symbols are important to the story. The narrator had a brother named Doodle who was born with a heart condition being portrayed as very weak, sick, frail and different. He was not expected to survive however he overcame many obstacles learning how to walk, jump, swim and in the end run. The narrator kept challenging his brother to the next level when he ultimately reached the end of his life after collapsing and falling over while running home in a thunder storm. They day of Doodle’s death he saw a bird in a tree outside his home which he became fascinated with.
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Doodle buried the bird. He described it as “a great big red bird” with “scarlet feathers and long legs, his wings hung down loosely” (Hurs, p. 321). When Doodle died he was described by the narrator in the same way Doodle described the scarlet ibis. The narrator saw Doodle’s “legs bent sharply at the knees, his face buried in his arms” and Doodles shirt “was stained a brilliant red” (Hurs. p. 323) which was the same color as the scarlet ibis. The bird was used to symbolizing Doodle because both were unique creatures and were not expected to survive in their environment. In the end both Doodle and the scarlet ibis could not overcome the will to survive due to obstacles they could not control. The author also used the graveyard flowers as another symbol in the story. The author said” their smell drifted across the cotton field and through every room of our house” (Hurs, p. 315). This symbol is used in the beginning of the story to hint at the approaching death of Doodle. Another symbol the author used was the casket. Doodle and the narrator went to the “Mahogany box” (Hurs, p. 318). The narrator told his brother that “he was going to have to touch it” (Hurs, p. 318). The casket was used as a symbol representing Doodles impending
Doodle buried the bird. He described it as “a great big red bird” with “scarlet feathers and long legs, his wings hung down loosely” (Hurs, p. 321). When Doodle died he was described by the narrator in the same way Doodle described the scarlet ibis. The narrator saw Doodle’s “legs bent sharply at the knees, his face buried in his arms” and Doodles shirt “was stained a brilliant red” (Hurs. p. 323) which was the same color as the scarlet ibis. The bird was used to symbolizing Doodle because both were unique creatures and were not expected to survive in their environment. In the end both Doodle and the scarlet ibis could not overcome the will to survive due to obstacles they could not control. The author also used the graveyard flowers as another symbol in the story. The author said” their smell drifted across the cotton field and through every room of our house” (Hurs, p. 315). This symbol is used in the beginning of the story to hint at the approaching death of Doodle. Another symbol the author used was the casket. Doodle and the narrator went to the “Mahogany box” (Hurs, p. 318). The narrator told his brother that “he was going to have to touch it” (Hurs, p. 318). The casket was used as a symbol representing Doodles impending