The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Class notes

Review of key concepts What is meant by a symbol? The practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person, place, word, or object can all have a symbolic meaning. When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, he can also use symbolism to hint at it, rather than just blatantly saying it. 

Reflection Did you like the story? What was your favourite part of the story and why? What didn’t you like about the story?

Metaphors As Symbolism A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses symbolism.   It compares two things that are not similar and shows that they actually do have something in common.   In a metaphor, there is an additional meaning to a word. This makes it an example of symbolism.

Examples Life is a roller-coaster: This is symbolic because it indicates that there will be ups and downs in life that you have to deal with.   He is a rock: This is symbolic because it signifies that he is strong and dependable. 

Simile What is a simile? It makes a comparison between two otherwise unalike objects or ideas by connecting them with the words "like" or "as." Example: but the oriole nest in the elm was untenanted and rocked back and forth like an empty cradle. What images do you think the author is trying to create?

What do you think the author meant by the following? They named him William Armstrong, which was like tying a big tail on a small kite. The simile suggests that the narrator thinks the name “William Armstrong” is too weighty and important-sounding for a child as physically weak as his brother. He might not, she sobbed, even be “all there.” Why is it so important to the narrator that his brother is “all there” (lines 54-55)?

Trembling, he’d push himself up, turning first red, then a soft purple, and finally collapse back onto the bed like an old worn out doll. What does the description in lines 59-61 tell you about Doodle? When he crawled, he crawled backward, as if he were in reverse and couldn’t change gears.

Foreshadow This is where there is a clue or indication of a future event that will happen in the story. Pause at line 144. Why do you think the narrator shows Doodle the coffin? What might this event foreshadow?

it was spring and the sick-sweet smell of bay flowers hung everywhere like a mournful song. He collapsed onto the grass like a half-empty flour sack. It was as if he had no bones in his little legs. Promise hung about us like leaves,

Re-read lines 346-351. In what ways does the bird remind you of Doodle?

Task Read the last few paragraphs again and continue the story.... I began to weep, and the tear-blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar. “Doodle!” I screamed above the pounding storm, and threw my body to the earth above his. For a long, long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.

References: http://zameroskiwebpage.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/2/13324979/the_scarlet_ibis_questions.pdf http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-symbolism.html http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm#s