“I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life, and death.” In this classic short story, “The Scarlet Ibis” the author James Hurst illustrates how pride is beneficial in certain ways and detrimental in other ways. Pride defined, as the trait of persuasion by a dislike of falling below your standards is the theme of the short story. The Narrator consumed by pride, ideology for helping Doodle is only for his own benefit. The author's usage of foreshadowing, symbolism, and paradox coalesce to create a true literary masterpiece with the central theme of pride.
The usage of foreshadowing develops the theme of pride and establishes a reminiscent tone. As the main character and narrator of The Scarlet Ibis, the Narrator reflects on his childhood, he chooses to focus on a part of his life that he shared with his younger brother, William Armstrong, whom he called Doodle. Doodle's brother …show more content…
Blood for many when it spills means somebody is hurt, blood is scary, even horrifying; consequently, the author creates a paradox by elucidating it can also be beautiful, as we see in the scarlet ibis. “He had been bleeding from the mouth, and his neck and the front of his shirt were stained a brilliant red.” This is disconcerting because we realize Doodle is dead; however, it is also beautiful because the word brilliant is positive and describes illustrious items. Hurst creates a paradox by comparing a dead boy’s blood to something as brilliant as a gem; hence, the narrator uses a coping mechanism to deal with grief. “Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its beauty.” The author uses another paradox by observing Doodle’s lifeless body as a painting; hence, he will not recognize the horror his unrelenting pride caused. The theme of pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” develops by the use of
The usage of foreshadowing develops the theme of pride and establishes a reminiscent tone. As the main character and narrator of The Scarlet Ibis, the Narrator reflects on his childhood, he chooses to focus on a part of his life that he shared with his younger brother, William Armstrong, whom he called Doodle. Doodle's brother …show more content…
Blood for many when it spills means somebody is hurt, blood is scary, even horrifying; consequently, the author creates a paradox by elucidating it can also be beautiful, as we see in the scarlet ibis. “He had been bleeding from the mouth, and his neck and the front of his shirt were stained a brilliant red.” This is disconcerting because we realize Doodle is dead; however, it is also beautiful because the word brilliant is positive and describes illustrious items. Hurst creates a paradox by comparing a dead boy’s blood to something as brilliant as a gem; hence, the narrator uses a coping mechanism to deal with grief. “Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its beauty.” The author uses another paradox by observing Doodle’s lifeless body as a painting; hence, he will not recognize the horror his unrelenting pride caused. The theme of pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” develops by the use of