Flaws In The Scarlet Ibis

Words: 706
Pages: 3

Flaws can never be contained, they can never be concealed, they can never be contradicted. Through actions and words, those hidden imperfections can be found. The affectionate characters may share an inner flaw of actually being despicable. These weaknesses are shown throughout their actions, creating various types of denouements. The protagonist is usually associated with heroic and faultless actions, however, every protagonist is indeed imperfect in some manner. Invariably, the protagonist of a story will possess some type of flaw in which they display through their personality. In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, it is understandable that the protagonist possesses flaws of his own. The protagonist of this short story is the narrator, whose name is never mentioned. The narrator seems as though he is obliged to help his handicap little brother, Doodle, walk and become stronger, though he is actually ashamed and embarrassed to be seen with Doodle. The narrator acts a bit cold towards Doodle sometimes, never knowing that he has very little time left with him. “The knowledge that Doodle's and my plans had come to naught was bitter, and that streak of cruelty …show more content…
The protagonist, Montresor, contains flaws that can be found in his personality. In this short story, Montresor has an appetite for vengeance. Montresor's old friend, Fortunato, has injured him in some way, causing him to create a plan to take Fortunato’s life. The major weakness in Montresor is that he let his cruel, twisted mind take control. His actions were lead by the flaw seen through his personality. “I continued, as was my in to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my to smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Allen Poe 212). His manner of narrating lets the reader understand his wicked thoughts. Through Montresor’s character and personality, it is understood that he is flawed in some