Shame In The Scarlet Ibis

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Pages: 2

Shame Leads to More Shame The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst is a story about a boy whose new baby brother is born with a weak heart. Throughout the story the brother is determined to make his brother nnormal. The brother continues to push his weak little brother to keep up with him despite the very serious risk that could pose. Doodle was born crippled. H e could not runk, could only crawl. Could not get too excited “He was a burden in many ways. The doctor said that he mustn’t get too excited, too hot, too cold, or too tired and that he must always be treated gently(1).” He can't do what other kids do. His brother managed to get him able to walk but that's all the could accomplish with Doodles limited ability Brother is ashamed of having a crippled sibling. He is embarrassed that doodle can't do everything other ids can do. “‘What are you crying for?’ asked Daddy, but I couldn’t answer. The did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a cripple brother(3).” Brother is controlled by his emotions that tell him that Doodle was not good enough and he had to be normal. He wants Doodle to be able to do things himself without being a burden. …show more content…
He could not do everything at once so quickly for him. Brother is controlled by his own shame. When doodle succeeds a waking brother believed doodle can do anything he works hard enough for . when Doodle doesn't live up to his brothers expectations fast enough, brother is taken over by his feelings of bitter disappointment and takes off running, abandoning Doodle in the rain who in vain tries to catch up with him. Doodle cried out to his brother, “Brother, Brother, don’t leave me! Don’t leave me(7).” As a consequence of Brothers actions, Doodle dies from pushing his fragile body too hard to try and reach his older