The Scarlet Ibis And The Color Red

Deadly, Violent, and Dangerous: The Color Red

Did you know that when reading a story, color could reveal deeper meanings and foreshadow events? If not, then ponder no further, because they can. Color is the key when it comes to foreshadowing stories. Colors often symbolize mood and emotions. In the selections by Hurst, Cofer, and O’Flaherty, the color red often foreshadows negative outcomes such as death, rejection, and war or battle.

To begin, in Hurst’s The Scarlet Ibis, the color red is an indication for the death of one of the main characters, Doodle. There are several items throughout the story that contain the color red, foreshadowing his dreadful death, such as the scarlet ibis that appeared briefly before his dying. “Sadly, we

The color red foreshadows refusal and denial in the story when Eugene’s mother is described. "The red, swollen face of a women appeared. She had a halo of red hair floating over a delicate ivory face," (page 127). The color red can symbolize danger, rejection, fire, blood, war, and violence but it is not limited to these mentioned. In the case of Elena, it foreshadowed the rejection that Elena was about to receive. "Listen. Honey. Eugene does not want to study with you. He is a smart boy. Doesn't need help. You understand me. I am truly sorry if he told you you could come over. He cannot study with you. It's nothing personal. You understand" (page 127). After Elena heard what Eugene’s mother said, she was shocked. Elena had waited a very long time for the moment she would be able to set foot in the house beside her building. She wanted to sit at the table and view the interior of the home that she could only see a glimpse of at her building. Elena did not imagine that this would happen but the reader did. The signs are given when Eugene’s mother was described, a “red, swollen face” and a “halo of red hair.” The author clearly gives the reader hints of the unfortunate