The Scarlet Ibis

The narrator is the protagonist of the story, which is told from his subjective viewpoint and memory. He is not named in the story and is referred to only as “Brother” by Doodle. The narrator, whom Hurst never physically describes, considers himself “pretty smart at many things” (48), including running, climbing, and jumping. He is six years old when his brother is born, and the main action of the story takes place during the next six years of his life. Through the narrator, Hurst explores the theme of Coming of Age: Pride and Social Acceptance. As the story is told from the perspective of an older, wiser narrator, the events recalled from his childhood often include interpretative glosses that allow the reader to understand the narrator’s feelings about his actions more fully.

The main defining characteristic and downfall of the narrator is his pride, which drives his decisions throughout the narrative. He finds the prospect of having a brother with physical and mental disabilities as “unbearable,” and he admits that his decision to teach Doodle to walk is due to the shame he feels of having a brother with a disability. The narrator also struggles with cruelty, confessing that “there is within me […] a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love” (49). The meanness that the narrator recognizes is exhibited by his decision to subject Doodle to the sight of his casket and to leave Doodle behind during a rainstorm. The latter decision leads to Doodle’s death. The narrator’s feelings of guilt and regret affect his recollections, creating a somber mood.

Doodle is an empathetic, imaginative character with disabilities. He acts as a foil to his brother, who is physically active and embarrassed by Doodle’s disabilities. Doodle, originally named William Armstrong but later nicknamed by his older brother, was born with part of the amniotic sac covering his head. His disabilities seemed so “severe” that no one believed he would survive, and his father had a tiny casket made. Doodle proves to be resilient, and he learns to crawl, talk, and eventually walk.

Doodle wants to please his older brother and be near him, which is his impetus for learning to walk. He fears being left alone and when confronted with his mahogany coffin, he clings to the narrator and cries out, “Don’t leave me” (50). Doodle’s frightened plea is a recurring motif that thematically develops The Beauty and Inevitability of Death. Doodle seems scared of his brother as well, often begging not to be hurt. In the end, when he realizes that he has failed to adequately learn to swim, row, or fight, Doodle anxiously watches his brother “for a sign of mercy” (53), hoping to appease and satisfy his teacher.

While physically restricted, Doodle possesses a vivid imagination and a clear appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. He creates stories of magical worlds and imagines a future life for his family in the swamp that his brother describes as “beautiful and serene” (51). When first confronted with Old Woman Swamp, Doodle’s “eyes were round with wonder” (49), and he started to cry at the sheer loveliness of the area. Additionally, Doodle takes it upon himself to bury the scarlet ibis with reverence and care, suggesting a consideration and appreciation for the environment not evident in his family members.

Although she is a minor character in the story, Aunt Nicey frequently offers religious and superstitious statements that provide important foreshadowing within the narrative. In tandem with the Armstrongs, Aunt Nicey’s character develops the theme of Superstition and the Natural World. Aunt Nicey, who assisted in Doodle’s birth and seemingly resides with the family, is the only character who insists that Doodle will survive babyhood. She interprets the caul on his infant head as “made from Jesus’ nightgown” (48). An en caul birth refers to a baby born inside an intact amniotic sac. Her confidence in Doodle’s ability to live and thrive, which is based on religious superstition, seems justified as the child learns to crawl and talk. Later, though, Aunt Nicey’s superstitious beliefs point toward Doodle’s tragic death. After the family witnesses the death of the scarlet ibis in their yard and Doodle buries the bird, Aunt Nicey proclaims: “Dead birds is bad luck […] specially red dead birds” (52). This declaration, like her earlier faith in Doodle’s survival, gains significance as Doodle dies later that day.