Skip to main content

In The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst, what sin does the brother believe is responsible for his actions?

The early Christian philosopher St. Augustine once said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men angels." Pride is also considered to be one of the seven deadly sins and this is probably what the narrator meant when he admitted that he displayed pridefulness toward his brother Doodle, although the word "sin" is never used. The narrator's pride will not allow him to admit that his brother is crippled...

The early Christian philosopher St. Augustine once said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men angels." Pride is also considered to be one of the seven deadly sins and this is probably what the narrator meant when he admitted that he displayed pridefulness toward his brother Doodle, although the word "sin" is never used. The narrator's pride will not allow him to admit that his brother is crippled and may never do the things which the narrator believes are important, such as running fast, swimming and boxing. The narrator, who is revealing the story in a flashback, openly admits his pride in the description of his feelings after he and Doodle show their parents that the boy can walk:






They did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother. 



Later, this pride gets the best of the narrator when, after his plan fails to make Doodle as physically strong as other boys, he runs away from Doodle in a driving rainstorm. Once his pride and "childish spite" subside, it is too late and he finds Doodle dead from over-exhaustion and internal bleeding. While it would be a stretch to say that the narrator killed his brother (Doodle had major physical challenges), it is certainly true that he contributed to the boy's death through his misplaced pride.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more