the scarlet ibis essay prompts

The Scarlet Ibis

28 pages • 56 minutes read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Why is it important to the narrator that Doodle learn athletic skills like rowing, swimming, and fighting, and what does this value indicate about his character?

The Armstrongs are depicted as a family of five, including Aunt Nicey . How does the narrative characterize Mama and Daddy as parents of a child with disabilities? Why does Hurst include the character of Aunt Nicey?

Contemporary critics view Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis” as “ableist,” or espousing the idea that individuals without physical or mental disabilities are superior. Using textual support, argue whether this is a fair assessment of the story.

Featured Collections

American Literature

View Collection

Brothers & Sisters

Coming-of-Age Journeys

Mortality & Death

School Book List Titles

• study guides
• lesson plans
• homework help

The Scarlet Ibis Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

"Brother" feels ashamed of Doodle because of Doodle's physical differences from the average boy that "Brother" knows at school. What other kinds of unnecessary shame do people feel about their relatives or friends, or about themselves, based on differences from what they think is "normal"? Choose one of these to write about--explain what the prejudice is, what it can cause people to do and feel, and why people should actually not be ashamed of this "difference." Cite all of your sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

Because "Brother" narrates the story, the reader knows his motivations. But what causes Doodle to go along with what his brother wants? Write an essay that uses clear examples from the text to support your claims about what Doodle's motivations are.

Essay Topic 3

Hurst offers a great deal of foreshadowing in the opening of "The Scarlet Ibis." Write an essay...

(read more Essay Topics)

FOLLOW BOOKRAGS:

Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis

Analysis of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on June 12, 2021

The only work of James Hurst’s to gain widespread recognition, The Scarlet Ibis  was originally published in the Atlantic Monthly in July 1960 and won the Atlantic First award that year. Rising quickly to the status of a classic, this story has been a standard feature of high school and college anthologies for more than 40 years. In 1988, and then again in 1998, the story was published in book format (only 36 pages) with illustrations by Philippe Dumas. It continues to be popular with students and is the subject of numerous Internet study guides.

“The Scarlet Ibis” is the story of two siblings, the narrator—known only as Brother—and his disabled younger brother, nicknamed Doodle. Told in retrospect by the now-adult Brother, the story seems to be at least partially confessional, describing the narrator’s childhood conflicts between love for his brother and his own pride, as well as the tragic consequences of discriminatory familial and societal expectations. Toward the end of the story, an exotic scarlet ibis appears and, as does Doodle himself, dies.

“The Scarlet Ibis” has received little or no serious critical analysis, but in those reviews that do exist various possible subthemes have been suggested, including the biblical story of Cain and Abel, Doodle as a divine or even Christ-like figure, and the specter of World War I with its loss of life and all the philosophical questions that it raised. It is clearly, however, the use of nature that guides the narrative and its metaphors. Hurst himself has said that there are three “characters” in the story: Doodle, Brother, and the setting. The story opens with Brother’s describing the Eden-like childhood that he shared with Doodle and comparing it with the sterility of his adult world. Over the course of the story, told in flashback, Brother is shown to have a country child’s awareness of and delight in nature; in fact, part of his disappointment at Doodle’s disability is that he had “wanted someone to perch with in the top fork of the great pine behind the barn, where across the fields and the swamp you could see the sea” (10). Doodle cries the first time Brother shows him the beauty of Old Woman Swamp (perhaps a pseudonym for Gaia?), the only place where the two brothers are really in harmony, where they make plans to live forever, and where societal expectations do not interfere. Even the narrative itself turns along with the cyclical movement of the seasons, Brother’s successes and failures with Doodle measured by nature’s changes.

When the scarlet ibis appears, both the psychological and the physical similarities to Doodle are made clear: It is alone—despite being a colonial nester— and has clearly strayed, or been blown, far from its natural environment (“Ibises”); it is a brilliant red, as Doodle was at birth, and has an awkward, ungainly body that takes on grace only in death. Doodle is the only one of the family moved enough by the bird’s demise to care about burying it, and when Doodle himself dies the following day, his body in death is described much as the bird’s, and Brother calls him “my fallen scarlet ibis” (36).

BIBLIOGRAPHY Hurst, James. The Scarlet Ibis. Hadley, Mass.: Creative Education, 1988. “The Scarlet Ibis.” Short Stories for Students. Detroit: Gale, 2006.

Share this:

Categories: Literature , Short Story

Tags: American Literature , Analysis of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , appreciation of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , criticism of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , essays of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , guide of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , James Hurst , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis analysis , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis appreciation , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis criticism , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis essays , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis guide , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis notes , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis plot , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis story , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis summary , James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis themes , Literary Criticism , notes of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , plot of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , story of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , summary of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis , The Scarlet Ibis , themes of James Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis

Related Articles

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Scarlet Ibis James Hurst

The Scarlet Ibis essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst.

The Scarlet Ibis Material

• Study Guide

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2365 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11012 literature essays, 2781 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

The Scarlet Ibis Essays

Brotherly injury: the scarlet ibis anonymous 9th grade, the scarlet ibis.

Being selfishly consumed with shame and pride over a loved one can cause one to treat that beloved individual in cruel ways. In James Hurst’s fictitious short story "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator realizes exactly these truths through brutal...

Character Comparison Essay: "The Scarlet Ibis" and "Thank You Ma'am" Anonymous 9th Grade

Characters might seem different at a glance, but if you pay enough attention you can see how alike they are. People can look different based on perspective. A thief from the city with nothing and a farm boy from the country with a decent life have...

The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst - Text Analysis Writing Prompt, Text Evidence

• Google Apps™

Also included in

Description

Introducing how to write a literary analysis essay citing text evidence for "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst has never been easier! This in-depth text dependent analysis (TDA) writing prompt resource guides students through a step-by-step process of writing an expository / informative essay with textual evidence as support. It includes an expository writing graphic organizer , rubric, expository writing quiz , and an expository writing template .

All aspects of text evidence writing are covered in this resource: brainstorming ideas , developing a thesis statement , introducing supporting details , writing hooks and leads , and incorporating the 6 Traits of Writing ™. From the struggling writer to the advanced writer, this resource offers something for everyone.

The video, slide show, graphic organizer, worksheets, writing template, and rubric allow students to practice and develop their informative writing skills. The writing quiz reinforces guided note-taking techniques when used in conjunction with the instructional video. The detailed lesson plans make implementing expository writing easy for teachers .

This no-prep lesson is adaptable for in-class instruction, distance learning, or independent student work. The instructional video with writing tutorial and template can be presented as whole class instruction or assigned for students to complete at home.

All materials are available in both Google Drive™ and print formats, ensuring easy access for all students.

*****************************************************************************************

This Citing Text Evidence Expository / Informative writing prompt lesson includes:

Entertaining Instructional Video with:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Prompt identification and comprehension
• Thesis statement development
• Rubric explanation
• How to Write an Expository Essay tutorial and writing template
• How to Write an Expository Essay writing quiz / guided note-taking

Detailed Lesson Plan with:

• Common Core State Standards indicated on lesson plan
• Instructional Focus
• Instructional Procedures
• Objectives/Goals
• Direct Instruction
• Guided Practice
• Differentiation
• ESE Strategies
• ELL Strategies
• I Can Statement
• Essential Question

Worksheets with:

• Brainstorming section

Slide Show Presentation with:

• Introduction slide with prompt (interactive for students to identify key vocabulary)
• Brainstorming slide (interactive for students to list ideas)
• Standard and implied thesis development slides
• How to Write an Expository Essay tutorial and writing template slides
• Checklist slide

Expository Writing Quiz

Expository Rubric

Expository Graphic Organizer

Google Slides ™

Check out my other Middle School Text Based Analysis Writing Prompts:

• Text Analysis Writing Prompts

Connect with me for the latest Write On! with Jamie news:

• Write On! with Jamie Blog
• FB Community for 6-12 ELA Teachers

. . . and visit my WRITE ON! with Jamie website  for a free TEXT EVIDENCE WRITING LESSON! 

© Google Inc.™ All rights reserved. Google™ and the Google Logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc.™ Write On! with Jamie® is an independent company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google Inc.™

Terms of Use

Copyright © Write On! with Jamie. All rights reserved by author. All components of this product are to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited unless additional licenses are purchased. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this product are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.

Questions & Answers

Write on with jamie.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

• Ask LitCharts AI
• Discussion Question Generator
• Essay Prompt Generator
• Quiz Question Generator

• Literature Guides
• Poetry Guides
• Shakespeare Translations
• Literary Terms

The Scarlet Ibis

James hurst.

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Expectations and Disappointment

The primary conflict of “The Scarlet Ibis” surrounds Doodle ’s disability and how he works to overcome it with the help of Brother . The way in which Hurst presents Doodle’s journey, however, demonstrates that Doodle’s biggest challenges often arise not from his actual disability, but instead from the judgment and pressure he experiences from different people in his life. Brother admits that when Doodle was born, he saw him as a “disappointment” because he…

Brother takes pride in Doodle ’s achievements, and this sense of pride becomes a major motivation for his actions throughout “The Scarlet Ibis.” He gradually acknowledges that he only helps his brother out of a sense of pride, and that this pride leads him to behave selfishly. Other characters, such as Doodle’s parents , also find pride in Doodle’s accomplishments and hard work, spurring Doodle to work harder and harder to please his family. Hurst’s…

Hurst refers to death explicitly and implicitly throughout “The Scarlet Ibis,” using foreshadowing, the symbolism of the ibis itself, and allusions to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. These devices give the story an allegorical dimension, demonstrating that often the most innocent people die not because they deserve to die, but because of the carelessness and wrongdoing of others. The story contains several examples of foreshadowing of Doodle’s untimely death. For instance, when Doodle…

Humans and Nature

“The Scarlet Ibis” is filled with many rich descriptions of the natural world. It quickly establishes the rural North Carolina farmland in which the story takes place and draws some of its most important symbols from nature. Beyond providing a detailed vision of the story’s setting, however, Hurst uses descriptions of nature and the seasons to mirror the boys’ states of mind as well as the dynamic between them, and to suggest that, like nature…

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Scarlet Ibis — The Scarlet Ibis Argumentative

The Scarlet Ibis Argumentative

• Categories: Ambition The Scarlet Ibis

About this sample

Words: 600 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 600 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the destructive power of pride, the consequences of excessive ambition, the impact on interpersonal relationships.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 344 words

2 pages / 914 words

2 pages / 1090 words

3 pages / 1428 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on The Scarlet Ibis

In James Hurst's poignant short story "The Scarlet Ibis," themes of pride, love, and the cruel realities of life are explored through the relationship between two brothers. The vivid imagery and emotional depth of the narrative [...]

In literature, colors often play a significant role in conveying deeper meanings and symbolism. One such color is red, which is often associated with a range of emotions, from love and passion to anger and danger. In James [...]

Throughout literature, authors often utilize symbolism to convey complex themes and emotions. In "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the titular bird serves as a powerful symbol of love, pride, and redemption. This captivating [...]

Have you ever experienced a feeling of impending doom? That sense that something terrible is about to happen, but you can't quite put your finger on it? In James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis," the use of foreshadowing creates a [...]

This story tells the reader that all brothers can be equal, handicapped or not. “The Scarlet Ibis”, a short story by James Hurst which was published in 1960, is a sad story about a child born with a serious medical condition who [...]

The use of foreshadowing in literature is a powerful tool that can create suspense, add depth to characters, and build anticipation for future events. In the short story "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the author uses [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free