Scarlet Ibis

Scarlet Ibis

Pride is an uncommon characteristic for most people. However, when there is a sense of pride, it may start building so much inside that it over powers any other emotions, and even your mind. In “Scarlet Ibis,” by James Hurst, Brother, overcome by pride, pushes his disabled brother Doodle too hard. Doodle wants to live up to his brother’s harsh treatments to make him happy, but it ultimately leads to his death.

Brother is ashamed and embarrassed to have a disabled brother, so he pushes Doodle beyond his physical capacities. For example, Brother tries to make Doodle stand up and walk on his own for quite a long time. Doodle was never meant to walk, he was born disabled. That was the way God created him. In addition to making him stand, Brother purposely walked faster when Doodle was following him, and tried to make him run. Doodle was just thinking his brother was caring for him, and tried to help him be “normal.” He did whatever he was told to make his brother happy. Brother was corrupted by his sense of pride, and told Doodle that he could do things he couldn’t even imagine.

Doodle is very aware what his brother was trying to make him do. He told him fantasies about what he could do, all he ever wanted to do was make his brother happy. For example, Brother told doodle to