1. Who are the main characters? Doodle (William Armstrong) Brother

2. Who is the narrator of the story? What is the point of view? The narrator is Brother The point of view is first person

He is developmentally slow/intellectually disabled 3. What does the narrator’s mother mean when she says that William Armstrong might not be “all there”? Why do Doodle’s parents name him William Armstrong? He is developmentally slow/intellectually disabled They name him in hopes that he will grow into the name. His name is ironic because he has difficulty with any physical activity and the word “strong”, which is a physical attribute is in his last name.

He is embarrassed of him. 4. What is the narrator’s reaction to the birth of his invalid brother? He is embarrassed of him. He says he is going to smother him with a pillow.

He does it because he is embarrassed of Doodle. 5. What does the narrator help Doodle to learn? What is the narrator’s motivation for helping Doodle? He helps him learn to do the things that “normal” boys can do like walk, run, and play. He does it because he is embarrassed of Doodle. His motivation is purely selfish.

Why does the narrator cry when everyone congratulates him? He realizes that he helped Doodle to walk out of selfishness and embarrassment, rather than out of concern and care for Doodle.

6. How does the setting help foreshadow what will happen in the story 6. How does the setting help foreshadow what will happen in the story? Use textual evidence. The story is mostly dark and storms foreshadow negative events to come. The children play a lot at Old Woman Swamp, which is dark and damp. The end of the story also takes place during a heavy storm, which ends in Doodle’s Death.

7. What is Doodle’s reaction to the scarlet ibis that goes astray in the storm? What is the symbolic link between Doodle and the scarlet ibis? In other words, how is Doodle like the scarlet ibis? Doodle panics and becomes highly upset over the Scarlet Ibis. Doodle and the Ibis are both out of place. They both are also different. The ibis struggles to find shelter in a storm because it cannot fly away. Doodle also struggles during the storm because he cannot physically keep up with Brother.

8. What happens to Doodle at the end of the story? Doodle’s heart gives out from over-exerting himself to keep up with Brother. Doodle ends up dying.

Go back through the story and list at least two ways Doodle’s death was foreshadowed in the story.

  9. Do Brother’s feelings about Doodle change over the course of the story? How do you know? All answers are acceptable within reason. Yes – Brother starts to become proud of Doodle because he is progressing and he is earning his love. Yes – Brother starts to realize his selfishness and admires Doodle’s strength to try to live up to Brother’s standards and it warms his heart.

Is the narrator a dynamic character? How do you know? Brother is a dynamic character because his feelings about Doodle change over the course of the story as he grows to love and care about him.

10. What do you think is the overall theme of the story? Justifiable answers are accepted within reason Pride Tolerance Strength Respecting Differences The Human Spirit What drives us?

Scarlet Ibis Writing Prompt What is the overall theme of “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst? Be sure to include two examples from the text to support your answer. You should have an introductory and a concluding sentence.

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What goes into a writing sample? FULL sentences Brainstorming sheet (provided) FULL paragraphs (5-8 sentences) FORMAL grammar/conventions Include an INTRODUCTION and a CONCLUSION paragraph

Focus Correction Areas: Theme is identified (10 points) Full sentences- (10 points) Capital letters and punctuation TWO quotes (30 points/15 each) Each quote is explained Each quote has a page number cited. Introductory and Concluding Paragraphs