Characters
Who is the narrator of "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Doodle's older brother, whose name is never explicitly mentioned in the story.
"...it fell straight down in parallel paths like ropes hanging from the sky."
Simile
What is the setting of "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The story is set in a rural North Carolina during 1918(ish) at Old Woman Swamp, Horsehead Landing, and their house
What is the nickname given to the younger brother by his family?
"Doodle" because he crawled backwards like a doodlebug as an infant.
Where did Ms. Heintzelman go to college?
Ferris State University
"I lay there, crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain."
Metaphor
What were the hobbies the brothers shared?
Making flower crowns and lying
What is the narrator's motive for teaching Doodle to walk?
To overcome his embarrassment and shame of having a disabled brother, as well as to fulfill his own desire for a "normal" sibling relationship.
What does the scarlet ibis symbolize in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Doodle and his fragility, beauty, and the tragic inevitability of death
"Doodle stopped eating, with a piece of bread poised ready for his mouth, his eyes popped round like two blue buttons."
Simile
What did Doodle's dad have made for him?
A coffin
What is different about Doodle?
He is born with physical disabilities and experiences developmental delays.
What does the coffin represent in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The coffin symbolizes death and mortality. It is used as a prop in the narrator's "funeral" for Doodle, foreshadowing the tragic outcome of the story.
Hope no longer hid in the dark palmetto thicket but perched like a cardinal in the lacy toothbrush tree..."
Simile AND personification
What role does the "Old Woman Swamp" play in the story?
The "Old Woman Swamp" serves as a sanctuary and a place of refuge for the brothers, where they bond and share moments of joy and freedom away from the constraints of society.
Who is most affected by the scarlet ibis and how do we know?
Doodle because he doesn't eat dinner and buries the bird.
What does the color red symbolize in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The color red symbolizes the imminent danger. It is associated with the scarlet ibis and Doodle's eventual demise, highlighting the theme of love tinged with tragedy.
"They did not know that I did it for myself; that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices; and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother."
Metaphor AND personification
What is the main conflict in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
The narrator's internal struggle with his pride and desire for a "normal" brother, which ultimately leads to Doodle's tragic death. The resolution comes when the protagonist realizes the consequences of his actions and is left with a profound sense of guilt and remorse.