“The Scarlet Ibis” Super Study Guide
Name:_________________________________
This handout is a thorough study guide for James Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis.” Because it is so specific, you will likely need
to actively read the story a couple times to find and discuss everything required. Consider this a check up on all we’ve
studied so far and practice for the type of detail you are expected to pick up in literature in future readings.
1. Who is the narrator of the story?
2. What amount of time has passed between the events in the story and the telling of the story?
3. The 1st paragraph is used to establish the mood of the story. Review the definition of mood and respond to a. and b.
below:
a. What mood is the author trying to create?
b. What things and literary devices are described and used to establish that mood?
4. What point of view is used?
5. List as many items as you can that are used throughout the story which refer to death or cause you to think about
death.
1.
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15.
6. Review the definitions of simile, metaphor, alliteration, and personification. Then, list as many of these images as you
can find, indicating with each which literary device is being used.
1.
Lit Device:__________________
2.
Lit Device:__________________
3.
Lit Device:___________________
4.
Lit Device:__________________
5.
Lit Device:__________________
6.
Lit Device:___________________
7.
Lit Device:__________________
8.
Lit Device:__________________
9.
Lit Device:___________________
10.
Lit Device:__________________
11.
Lit Device:__________________
12.
Lit Device:___________________
7. What is the setting of the story? Time:__________________
State:_________________________
8. What is the climax of the story?
9. What is the family’s attitude toward Doodle when he first born? How do they show this attitude?
10. How does Doodle feel about himself?
11. Why does Brother decide to teach Doodle to walk?
12. In what ways was Brother good to and good for Doodle?
13. In what ways was Doodle a burden to Brother?
14. In what ways was Brother cruel to Doodle? Why do you think he was cruel to Doodle?
15. Why does Brother run off and leave Doodle?
16. How exactly does Doodle die? What was the cause of death?
17. Is Brother actually responsible for Doodle’s death? Explain.
18. Do you believe that Brother is accurate when he says what he did for Doodle was really done for himself? Why or
why not?
19. Find and quote a sentence from the story that could serve as the statement of theme.
20. In Doodle’s stories or lies, the people have wings. Why?
a. What do people with wings represent?
b. Why is it significant that Doodle tells stories of such people?
21. Review the definition of symbol and answer the questions below.
a. What is the main symbol in the story?
b. What does this symbol represent?
c. How are the tenor and vehicle of this symbol alike?
22. Explain why this story is part of our Courage Unit.