The Scarlet Ibis Brother Character Analysis

Complexity of the Older Brother in "The Scarlet Ibis"

In James Hurst's tear-jerking story, "The Scarlet Ibis," the older brother is a pretty complicated guy. As he grows and changes, his actions and feelings dig deep into themes like love, pride, and what happens when you're selfish. This essay takes a closer look at the brother’s character by diving into what drives him, what conflicts he faces, and finally, what he learns by the end of it all.

The Roots of Love and Pride

Right from the start, it’s clear that the brother really loves his younger sibling, Doodle. Even though Doodle's got some disabilities, the brother is excited about having him around. He admits something interesting: “They did not know that I did it for myself...that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother.” This shows a conflict inside him—he wants to shield Doodle from society's harsh views but also feels embarrassed.

A Stubborn Drive

As things move along in the story, the brother gets more driven to teach Doodle how to walk. He pushes Doodle past his limits because he wants him to be “just like all the other boys.” His stubbornness isn’t just about love; it’s also fueled by pride. The brother lets his pride take over his actions, pushing him to do whatever it takes to reach his goal, not worrying much about what might happen.

The Dark Side of Pride

But soon enough, pride turns ugly. The brother gets frustrated with how slow Doodle progresses and sometimes treats him poorly. A strong scene is when he forces Doodle to touch his own coffin while saying coldly: “I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing...” That moment hits hard—it’s when he starts realizing how harmful his pride has been for both him and Doodle.

The Storm Within

The big climax hits during a storm—a metaphor for what's going on inside the brother. In a rash decision driven by desperation and selfishness, he leaves Doodle behind in the storm. This betrayal leads to tragedy as Doodle dies alone, leaving the brother dealing with heavy guilt.

Lessons Learned Through Loss

After losing Doodle, guilt and regret consume the brother. He looks back on their relationship with new eyes and sees just how selfish he was—and how much damage that caused. Through painful reflection, he learns what real love means and sees how destructive pride can be.

A Cautionary Tale

In wrapping up this journey through "The Scarlet Ibis," we see how much the older brother changes. His experiences serve as a warning about valuing empathy and compassion over letting pride get in our way. As we face our challenges in life—let’s hope we learn from his mistakes by nurturing love free from pride's grasp.

References

• Hurst, J. (1960). The Scarlet Ibis. Literature textbook.
• SparkNotes Editors. (n.d.). The Scarlet Ibis Study Guide & Plot Summary. SparkNotes.
• Litcharts Editors. (n.d.). Themes in The Scarlet Ibis. Litcharts.