“The Scarlet Ibis”

1. Theme: Life is not so easy and does not always bring you what you want. Irony: Doodle’s death mirrors that of the bird – also an example of foreshadowing – where the author gives you hints as to what is to come. POV: 1st person – from the brother’s POV. “The Scarlet Ibis” Plot: Doodle is born disabled and the brother feels a responsibility to his family and to Doodle. Exposition: The brother wanted to kill Doodle to save the family. He then sees that Doodle can learn and sets out to make him a “regular” boy. Complication: The brother has higher hopes than Doodle can master. Rising Action: The bird dies under the Bleeding tree. Denouement: Doodle dies under the same tree while trying to keep up with his brother. Irony: Brother sees the value of Doodles life –even though others may not have seen it. Symbolism: The bleeding tree, the scarlet ibis, flowers, graveyard Quotes: Beginning descriptions, Doodles death. The brother teaching him how to be a “regular” kid – “you don’t want the others to

2. Additional Terms: Sensory detail: using your senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch to interpret information. From “A Christmas Memory” the sight and smell of the old kitchen, Mr. Haha’s café and the setting of the story – all depend upon your use of sensory detail. Character: the main character in a story: can be round and dynamic: the character goes through changes and their mindset or behavior is changed through the story. Ex Rainsford – he will probably no longer be a hunter. Louise Mallard: goes through a huge change, experiences freedom for the first time and it kills her to see it leave. The Brother: learns to appreciate life a bit more and the brother he never really wanted. Other characters may not go through a change – and therefore are static and flat: The princess: she is still barbaric and cares for no one – at least that is what you can think Montressor: the argument can be made that he doesn’t feel remorse for killing Forunato. Foreshadowing: when the author provides a hint of what is to happen later in the story: Rainsford changing his ways about hunting, Doodle’s death. Flashback: when the story is told not in order – but as a remembrance – Doodle’s brother says “and I remember Doodle.” Inference: when you make a guess as to what may happen in a story or what additional meaning can be found. Theme: when the author highlights human behavior and provides an example for the way people act – good or bad.