The Scarlet Ibis
| "The Scarlet Ibis" | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Hurst |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Tragedy, Short story |
| Published in | The Atlantic Monthly |
| Media type | magazine |
| Publication date | July 1960 |
"The Scarlet Ibis" is a short story written by novelist James Hurst.[1] It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in July 1960[2] and won the "Atlantic First" award.[3] It has been frequently republished in other collections.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The narrator, who is not named but simply called "Brother," recounts the life of his younger brother, William Armstrong or "Doodle." Doodle is born a sickly child who is not expected to live. His brother wanted someone who could run and jump and play with him but resents having the weak and fragile Doodle instead.
Eventually, at the age of five, Doodle learns to walk. Encouraged by this, the brother decides to teach Doodle how to run, climb vines, swim, and even fight to prepare Doodle for school. However, almost a year after the plan was made, Doodle was far from accomplishing the goals by the nearing deadline.
One day, a big red bird appears in their garden, looking sick and tired. The boys' father identifies it as a Scarlet Ibis, a tropical bird that was blown off course by a recent storm. When the bird dies, Doodle, pitying the creature, buries it. Afterwards, the boys go to nearby Old Woman Swamp to continue Doodle's "training." On their way back to the house, Brother has Doodle practice rowing. A sudden rainstorm comes, and when they reach the riverbank, Doodle is tired and frightened. Brother, angry and frustrated that Doodle could not finish his training before school starts, runs ahead of Doodle, leaving the frightened boy behind. When Brother does not see Doodle, Brother returns for Doodle, only to find Doodle sitting next to a red-berried bush with blood flowing out of his mouth, staining his throat and shirt red. Doodle died like the Scarlet Ibis: red and a long way from home. Brother cries with regret for what he has done.
[edit] Analysis
The story has been described as "rich in symbolism." The Scarlet Ibis is the main symbol in the story, as is the color red.[5]
[edit] Opera
The story is being developed into an opera by composer Stefan Weisman with librettist David Cote. The opera will be co-produced by the HERE Arts Center with American Opera Projects.[6]
[edit] James Hurst
James Hurst was born January 1, 1922, near Jacksonville, North Carolina. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia and studied chemical engineering at North Carolina State College. However, following military service in World War II, he decided to be an opera singer and studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York[3] and in Italy. In 1951, Hurst abandoned his musical career and became a banker in New York for the next thirty-four years. He wrote plays and short stories in his spare time.[4] "The Scarlet Ibis" was his only piece that gained widespread recognition.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ "The Scarlet Ibis: The Collection of Wonder (Creative Short Stories) (9780886820008)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0886820006. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ "The Scarlet Ibis". Novelguide. http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/ssfs_0000_0023_0/ssfs_0000_0023_0_00023.html#Introduction. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ a b Blauner, Andrew; Frank McCourt (2010). Brothers: 26 Stories of Love and Rivalry. John Wiley and Sons. p. 265. ISBN 9780470599648. http://books.google.com/books?id=adiuhr4w-xYC&pg=PA265. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ a b "ClassZone: Language of Literature Authors". McDougal Littell Inc.. http://www.classzone.com/lol_demo/authors/09/9hurst.htm. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ Depino, Catherine (2000). Critical Reading Activities For The Works Of Cynthia Voigt: Grades 4-6. Walch Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 9780825141324. http://books.google.com/books?id=f1VK-6qCbgkC&pg=PA30. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ "HERE|HARP: The Scarlet Ibis". HERE. http://www.here.org/resident-artists/project/the-scarlet-ibis/. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ Pollock, Jeri (2010). ""Scarlet Ibis, The" James Hurst (1960)". In Werlock, Abby H.P.. The Facts on File companion to the American short story. Volume 1 (2nd ed.). Infobase Publishing. pp. 580. ISBN 9780816068951. http://books.google.com/books?id=lWuyTK_0eBsC&pg=PA580. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
