Scarlet Ibis & Conflict

Blood is thicker than water, but sometimes pride is thicker than both. Such is the case with James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis." This is a dramatic short story about two brothers, in which the older brother manipulates and is later responsible for the death of his dying younger brother, Doodle. Doodle is Handicap with a week heart and was expected to live no more than 1 year, but he proved everyone wrong. These actions proved that he did love Doodle but was ashamed of him at the same time.

Doodle's brother was never able to accept him for who he was. Even very early in the story, shortly after Doodle was born. His brother's unhappiness with Doodle was mostly because he wanted a brother with whom he could play and run. The thought of a brother who could barely move and probably never walk was embarrassing. He even states, “Nobody expects much from someone called Doodle.” (p. ). Brother doesn’t except Doodle for who he is and how he’s not just another pig in the pen but his brother. Just the fact that Doodle is Handicap and Brother was expecting someone to play with doesn’t mean he has to disown him. “They