The Scarlet Ibis Literary Analysis

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In “The Scarlet Ibis,” Hurst demonstrates that expecting too much of others will push them past their breaking point through the use of characterizing the narrator as conceited and self-centered through his forceful actions, mainly due to pride, towards his brother Doodle. Throughout the story, the narrator manages to push his brother to his limit by continuously forcing him to take part in activities beyond his athletic abilities, which eventually leads to his downfall. After the narrator’s attempt to run a development program for Doodle, Doodle [is] both tired and frightened, and when he [steps] from the skiff he [collapses] onto the mud...He [is failing] and we both [know] it...We [didn't speak] [what are the words that can solder cracked …show more content…

After Doodle proves to be incapable of successfully completing the narrator's development program, “The knowledge that Doodle’s” and the narrator’s “plans had come to naught was bitter” and causes a sudden “streak of cruelty [to awaken]” within the narrator. The narrator runs away from his brother leaving a “wall of rain dividing” them. [17] The phrase "wall of rain dividing [them]" stresses that the narrator allows his pride to take over and would rather leave his brother "on the other side of the wall" rather than pushing aside his ego and pride to be there for his brother. The phrase "streak of cruelty [to awaken]" which often correlates with discovering one's different personality at necessary moments, shows that the narrator is able to discover a new cruel part of himself when he is awaken by his ego that drives all his

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