The Scarlet Ibis Themes
Memory and the Past
"The Scarlet Ibis" is the story of a boy, Brother, who accidentally contributes to the death of his younger brother, Doodle. Brother tells the story in the past tense, and explicitly states that it...
Guilt and Blame
When a child dies, guilt and blame almost always enter the scene. "The Scarlet Ibis" explores that phenomenon. Brother is racked with guilt over the death of his little brother Doodle when Doodle w...
Pride
Pride is confusing. We are supposed to take pride in the way we look and act. But, we're not supposed to be so proud that we look down at others, or refuse to do things that need to be done. Simila...
Love
"The Scarlet Ibis" is a grim story, but it comes from a place of love, and kindness. Brother and Doodle, the two brothers who star in this story, have a loving mother, father, and aunt. Their home...
Man and the Natural World
Set in the lush beauty of rural North Carolina, not far from the ocean, "The Scarlet Ibis" gives us a glimpse of natural paradise. Brother, the narrator, moves us through the seasons with grace and...
Transformation
"The Scarlet Ibis" is set over a period of about seven years, the span of the life of Doodle, a young boy with a heart condition. Over the course of those seven years Doodle and his family undergo...