“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
During our reading of “The Scarlet Ibis”, answer the following questions about the short story on your own notebook paper. Use complete sentences.
Analyze Reading
During our reading of “The Scarlet Ibis”, answer the following questions about the short story on your own notebook paper. Use complete sentences.
Analyze Reading
- Explain at least two usages of personification used in the first paragraph on page 157.
- Explain the simile and the tombstone reference at the end of the first paragraph on page 158.
- Explain the physical contrast between Doodle and his brother.
- Explain the irony in changing William Armstrong’s name, which brother considers a powerful name, to Doodle considering he is now able to crawl.
- Why does brother refer to the swamp as “Old Woman Swamp”?
- Is it cruel that brother doesn’t listen to the doctor’s orders to keep Doodle safe?
- Explain brother’s feelings towards how he treated Doodle.
- Explain a piece of brother’s character considering he made Doodle touch his coffin.
- Correct my misplaced modifier in question 8.
- Write and explain the TWO similes this paragraph.
- Make an inference to the word “barring” at the top of this paragraph.
- Explain the contrast of brother’s reasoning to teach Doodle to walk and the reason his parents think he helped Doodle.
- Contrast brother’s attitude and behavior towards Doodle now and at the beginning of the story.
- The person reading this question needs to assign a person to google THREE synonyms for the word infallibility. List these words; no sentences.
- Explain the simile, “Promise hung about us like the leaves…”.
- The person reading this question needs to assign a person to google THREE synonyms for the word blighted. List these words; no sentences. You may not use the words at the bottom of the page.
- Make an inference to why Doodle and brother laugh during this serious moment. Their father has lost their crops, their livelihood, their means of living.
- Explain Mama’s superstition of "I haven't heard a rain frog.
- Explain the simile. If need be, look up the definition of mar. “Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its exotic beauty.”
- With your group, discuss Doodle’s reaction to the death of the ibis. And contrast his reaction to that of his family. (2+ sentences)
- Make an inference to this foreshadowing, “’Dead birds is bad luck,’”said Aunt Nicey, poking her head from the kitchen door. “’Specially red dead birds!’”
- Discuss with your group then explain with at least TWO sentences. “I hadn’t run too far before I became tired, and the flood of childish spite evanesced as well. I stopped and waited for Doodle.”
- Discuss with your group and explain the simile. “...but the wind had died and it fell straight down in parallel paths like ropes hanging from the sky.”
- Discuss with your group and explain the last sentence of the story.
- Debate with your table and answer the question. Did brother love Doodle? Explain with evidence from the text. R.A.C.E.