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The Scarlet Ibis

 

             In the short story "The Scarlet Ibis," James Hurst writes about the struggles and hardships of two young brothers. The younger of the two children, Doodle, is born physically handicapped and has many struggles throughout his life trying to do everyday things like walking or just being a kid. His older brother is cruel to him but Doodle responds by thriving and becoming more capable of everyday activities in spite of the treatment, until he dies trying to please Brother.
             Because brother wants a normal sibling to run and play with, he encourages doodle to act like a normal child despite his disabilities. For example brother takes Doodle to the barn loft to show him the coffin the family had built when doodle was not expected to live, and makes him touch it or threatens to leave Doodle alone. This makes doodle realize how Different he is and how he wasn't expected to live, which is mean because he makes doodle touch a symbol of his death disregarding his fragile state. It is cruel for brother to threaten his helpless sibling to leave him alone in the loft. The simple fact that brother had to haul Doodle all the way up to the barn loft in a wagon proves exactly how much he will do for his own entertainment and how little he cares of Doodles feelings. In addition, brother requires doodle to stand over 100 times in an afternoon to teach him to walk. Brother's pride and desire for a normal brother overcomes any concerns for his siblings feelings or health. Doodle is hurt by his brothers determination to have his Ideal image of a brother who can walk, run, and play like a normal kid. Brother clearly pushes doodle beyond his limits in his quest to make an "ideal brother".
             Surprisingly Doodle achieves the almost impossible goals brother sets for him even though the results only benefit brother and go so far as to hurt Doodle. For example, the doctors say he will probably die and never walk, but on his 6th birth day he shocks his whole family by actually learning to walk and never having to use his wheel-chair again.


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