Choudhry 1 Aisha Choudhry Mahoney English 9 5 24 April 2012 Title HEEAHHH

Darwins theory of evolution survival of the fittest remains true even to this day, and is sometimes used by many without realization. People may not be fighting against one another for survival, but those with favorable traits do survive. In the short story, The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst, the mentally and physically disabled young child dies while the fit older brother endures. The scarlet ibis is a vivid symbol that not only foreshadows Doodles death, but also serves to shine a light on Doodle's uniqueness from society. The color red is prevalent in both the deaths of the red ibis and Doodle. The scarlet ibis dies by flying into the bleeding tree outside the house from being flown in by a recent storm. Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its exotic beauty. (Hurst 321) The blood on the red ibis as it lay on the ground against the tree resembles Doodles body later in the story. The birds red color, combined with the fact that it alights in the bleeding tree, combines to create an image of blood, foreshadowing later events in both the ibiss and Doodles lives. (Robinson 234) The color red brings a symbolic link between Doodle and the scarlet ibis because the color represents the idea of death. The death of the ibis by the tree foreshadows Doodles misfortune at the end of the short story. Not only are the Doodle and the ibis found covered in blood, but the way in which both characters die is similar. Doodle is physically handicapped from birth and

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is not even set out to live as long as he has. Having to run and being pushed beyond his physical limits, kills him. The ibis is also a fragile being since it is only a young bird. The neck of the ibis jerked twice before its death and afterwards, its legs were crossed and the feet were curved. Doodles injuries are quite similar. His neck appeared to be long and slim to his brother and his legs were bent sharply at his knees (Hurst 321). Doodles and ibis injuries were both described in a similar pattern, detailing the necks and legs of the victims. As stated, Doodle and the scarlet ibis are both fragile creatures and a storm takes both of their lives. Since the death of the ibis occurs prior to Doodles, the bird foreshadows his death. Doodle, delicate and physically handicapped from birth, was not able to do these things, and pushing him to d them killed him (Goldfarb 238). Even though Doodle dies from a heart attack, what caused him to run was the rainstorm, and without it, he would not have been pushed to his physical limits. The red ibis is also quite helpless since it traveled very far, and was carried by the storm to the bleeding tree. There are parallels between the physical bodies of the ibis and the boy along with similarities in the causes of those injuries. Natural causes force the scarlet ibis and Doodle out of their comfort zones into an alien environment. Also at this point, both characters stand alone with no help from the outside world to rely upon. Doodle and the scarlet ibis are delicate beings and this leads to them having to depend on others whether before or after their deaths. Doodles mental and physical disabilities leave him at a disadvantage because in the beginning of the short story, he can barely walk. Doodle was paralyzed, so I put him on my shoulder and carried him down the ladder, and even when we were outside in the bright sunshine, he clung to me, crying, Dont leave me. Dont leave me (Hurst 318). From an early age, Doodle clings to his older brother for support and guidance throughout his life.

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Without his brother, Doodle is essentially useless in society. Since Doodle has physical and mental issues, his brothers backing is constantly needed. Early in the short story, his brother takes him around in the go-cart everywhere. For the simple power of movement and travel, Doodle must turn to his older brother for assistance. Also, Doodle refuses to be left by himself because of his unvarying fear of being left helpless. Another parallel between Doodle and the red ibis is the characteristic of being dependent. they rely on the presence of other birds of their own species (Hacht 231). Greater analysis on the scarlet ibis reveals that the bird requires others in order to survive. As Doodle relies on his older brother, the scarlet ibis needs others of his species to persevere in society. When the storm takes the ibis away from his home and Doodle away from his brother, both are left alone and have to fend for themselves. This leads to the death of both the boy and the bird because survival without another is impossible for them. Another trait the scarlet ibis and Doodle share is uniqueness from the society in which they die. The ibis stands apart from the other birds found in Doodles community and is completely foreign to the family. It lives in the tropics- South America to Florida. A storm must have brought it here. (Hurst 322). As Doodles fathers research indicates, the scarlet ibis has flown far from its homeland to arrive at the bleeding tree where it dies. The ibis dies in a land foreign to its upbringing. Along with the ibis, Doodle also is an outcast in society. Like the ibis, Doodle is a being alone, different, singled out, with no flock, out of his natural environment. Like the ibis, he does not thrive in the environment in which he finds himself: he is delicate, sticky and fragile (Hecht 231). Doodle and the scarlet ibis cannot be compared to their peers because they have distinct differences that set them apart from their respective societies. The bird and the boy both die because they cannot

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strive in a society without people of their kind and where they can be socially accepted. The scarlet ibis and Doodle share parallels in their position in society and along with the series of events leading up to their deaths. The color red is prevalent throughout the short story as a symbol for blood and also death. The dead bodies of Doodle and the ibis are both similar in being not only bloody but also crooked at the neck and legs. Also, the two beings cannot survive mainly because they are highly dependent on others and also because they are different than others. Those who depend on others will struggle to survive when left to be independent.

Choudhry 5 Works Cited Goldfarb, Sheldon. Critical Essay on The Scarlet Ibis. Short Stories for Sudents Volume 23. Ed. Anne Marie Hacht. New York, New York: Thomson and Gale, 2006. 237-240. Hacht, Ann Marie. Ed. Short Stories for Students, Volume 23. New York, New York: Thomson Gale, 2006. 225-234. Hurst, James. The Scarlet Ibis. Elements of Literature. Ed. Catherine Goodridge. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rineheart and Winston, 1997. 315-323. Robinson, Claire. Critical Essay on The Scarlet Ibis. Short Stories for Students Volume 23. Ed. Anne Marie Hacht. New York, New York: Thomson and Gale, 2006. 234-237.