Name
Period
Grade
/50 pts.
“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
Directions: Please answer the following questions related to the short story in pen directly on sheet.
1. During what season does the story take place? What is the symbolism surrounding this season?
2. The adult narrator repeats the word bleeding to mean "red". (He first used the word in the opening paragraph
of the story.) What associations are triggered by the color red? Also, define symbolism and what qualities does
red seem to symbolize?
3. How does Brother characterize Doodle?
4. How old was Brother when Doodle was born and why is Doodle seen as a disappointment?
5. When Doodle was born, everyone thought he was going to die except Aunt Nicey. Why did she think he would
survive? Explain.
6. Because Doodle was expected to die, what did his father and Mr. Heath, the carpenter, build?
7. What formal name did they give Doodle three months after he was born and what does Brother think of that
name?
8. Why was Brother disappointed in Doodle? Be specific.
9. Because Doodle is an invalid, what does Brother plan to do and why does he decide not to carry out this plan?
10. What does Doodle begin to do at the age of two and what character traits does he begin to show? Be specific.
11. Why does Brother rename William Armstrong "Doodle" and why does he think it's a more appropriate name?
12. Why does Aunt Nicey dislike the name Doodle?
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13. Brother comments on the fact that Doodle was crawling, but showed no signs of walking. Because of this,
what does his dad build for him and how does making sure Doodle left the house become Brother's responsibility?
14. Brother believes Doodle is a burden. Why does Brother feel this way and how does he try to discourage Doodle
from coming with him?
15. What does Doodle's reaction to the swamp tell you about him?
16. What did Brother and Doodle do at Old Woman Swamp?
17. Brother admits that he is cruel to Doodle and we have already seen evidence of this. What does Brother do
this time that illustrates cruelty?
18. What is Doodle's reaction to Brother's cruelty and what does he do to Doodle that continues to illustrate his
cruelty?
19. What was Brother going to teach Doodle to do at five years old and why?
20. Explain how Brother tries to teach Doodle to walk and how does Doodle react?
21. Brother worked with Doodle all summer trying to teach him to walk. Even though he became discouraged, he
continued to push Doodle. What tactic did Brother use at the top of page 319 to continue to encourage Doodle to
practice walking?
22. How do the brothers now feel about Doodle's chances of learning to walk?
23. When will Brother and Doodle reveal that Doodle can walk to the family?
24. What was each family member's reaction to Doodle walking and sitting at the kitchen table himself?
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25. The family is crying and hugging Brother after Doodle explains that Brother is the one who taught him to
walk. How does Brother react toward his parents and why is he ashamed? Also, do you think the narrator judges
himself too harshly?
26. Because it took Brother and Doodle a long time to reach a destination, what did Brother and Doodle do to pass
the time?
27. What kinds of stories did Doodle tell and why do you think a boy like Doodle would make up these particular
types of stories?
28. Brother plans a development program for Doodle. What is Brother going to teach him and what deadline does
he set for these accomplishments?
29. Why didn't Brother make progress working with Doodle in the winter?
30. However, when summer came, things began to pick up. What did Brother teach Doodle to do at Horsehead
Landing and Old Woman Swamp?
31. If the summer is taken as an omen or symbol of what's to come, what do you think may lie in Doodle's future?
32. Brother comments that school was only a few weeks away and Doodle was behind schedule. What does Brother
do to move along Doodle's progress?
33. How did Doodle react to Brother's behavior?
34. Why could brother not admit defeat when he realized that Doodle would not be able to complete the tasks
before school started?
35. With the paragraph that begins "The bird croaked loudly……," describe how the dead bird looked and what
details alert you to the fact that the events in this passage are symbolic and significant to the story?
36. What does their father use to identify the bird, what is the name of the bird, and why is it unusual that the
bird is in their backyard?
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37. Doodle shows compassion for the ibis when he wants to bury it. Why does Mother not want him to bury the
bird and how and where does he bury the ibis?
38. Why do you think Doodle goes to such lengths to bury the ibis?
39. What are Aunt Nicey's thoughts about the dead ibis?
40. Doodle is very tired and does not want to swim. However, what does Brother make Doodle do and describe
the weather.
41. Doodle is tired and frightened when he gets out of the skiff. Because Doodle is tired, what happens when he
steps out of the skiff, and what does Brother do to Doodle after he realizes Doodle will never accomplish the
intended goals.
42. Trying to keep up with Brother, Doodle screams for his Brother not to leave him. However, what does Brother
do and why does he act this way?
43. When Brother comes to his senses and returns for Doodle, what does he discover?
44. How is the description of Doodle's death like the description of the death of the ibis?
45. What might the scarlet ibis symbolize?
46. Subject; Fill in the blank. “The Scarlet Ibis” is about
(a word or short phrase).
47. Write a theme statement about the above topic/subject:
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