1. “The Scarlet Ibis”
By James Hurst

2. Vocabulary Brogans Rank Infallibility Piazzo Iridescent Doodlebug
Heavy, ankle-high work shoes
Infallibility
Trustworthy
Iridescent
Beautiful colors
Entrails
Intestines
Mar
To damage/spoil
Rank
Social standing
Piazzo
A large porch
Doodlebug
A bug that crawls backward
Marquisette
A lightweight fabric
Imminent
Likely to occur

3. Literary Terms Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action
Doodle is born and is “different”
Rising Action
Doodle learns to crawl and speak
Climax
Brother teaches Doodle to walk, run, swim, etc.
Falling Action
Ibis dies; Doodle gets tired from running in the rain
Resolution
Doodle dies

4. Literary Terms Geographical Place Old Woman Swamp Historical Year 1908
Physical Place
A cotton farm in NC
Atmosphere
Calm, working, bad weather

5. Literary Terms What point of view is the story told from? 1st person
What is the tone of the story based off of the first paragraph?
Empathetic
Who is the dynamic character in the story? Explain.
Doodle – he never gives up and keeps learning; he is always changing.
Give an example of imagery in the story.
The hurricane is a bloodthirsty hawk at the entrails of a chicken.
Give an example of symbolism in the story.
The Scarlet Ibis symbolizes Doodle; they are both fragile.

6. Reading Questions How old was the narrator when Doodle was born?
6 years old
What is wrong with Doodle?
He is mentally and physically disabled.
Describe Doodle’s appearance as a baby.
He had a big head, looked like a wrinkly old man, was red-skinned and very fragile.
What is the narrator’s reaction to his new brother?
He’s upset because he can’t do anything but lay there.

7. Reading Questions What kind of brother did the narrator want?
One he could play with.
How long does it take to teach Doodle to walk?
Almost a year.
Describe Doodle’s reaction to seeing Old Woman Swamp for the first time.
He is amazed; it’s “pretty.”
Why does the narrator cry when everyone congratulates him for teaching Doodle to walk?
He completed a quest with his brother and is proud.

8. Reading Questions
Give two examples now the narrator is cruel to his brother.
He shows him his coffin and ran so fast it killed him.
What lies is Doodle good at telling?
Bad ones.
What is the theme of most of Doodle’s lies and what does this tell us about what is important to him?
Flying people – he has a vivid imagination.
How does Doodle imagine his perfect future will be?
He will marry his mother and always live with his family.

9. Reading Questions Why did Doodle die?
His heart was too weak and exploded.
How was Doodle like the Scarlet Ibis?
When taken out of their element, they die.
They were both red-colored.
They died in the same position – crouching.
Both beautiful prodigies.
Both very fragile.
What emotions is the color red usually associated with?
Rage, fear, anger, death and/or passion.
What happens to the Scarlet Ibis when in captivity? Far from home?
It dies. Its color fades to pink. It grows fearful and gets out of sorts.

10. Reading Questions
Discuss the connection between the Scarlet Ibis and Doodle.
Both were far from home.
Both were small and fragile.
Both were exhausted to death to get where they were trying to go.
Neither could live up the standards they faced (the Ibis – weather/climate, Doodle – his brother)