The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst: A Significant Relationship Between Doodle and Ibis Through Foreshadowing and Imagery

The Scarlet Ibis Have you ever felt a mysterious relationship with some element of nature? Many people experience this uncanny phenomenon. Similarly, there is a strange correlation between the character Doodle and a tropical bird. The thesis in the story, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, the author portrays a significant relationship between Doodle and an ibis through foreshadowing and imagery. From the first appearance of the ibis, one can tell that there is an instant connection between the bird and Doodle. When the ibis died, the narrator says, “Doodles hands were clasped around his throat, and I had never seen him stand still for so long.” Doodle felt very sad for this dead bird. He was very sympathetic for it. The author mentioned this to show how sad Doodle was when he realized the ibis was dead. He also wanted to show the connection between Doodle and the bird. When you read this you feel sympathetic for both Doodle and the ibis. You also realize how Doodle and the tropical bird are linked. After the narrator goes inside, Hurst says, “Slowly, while singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” he carried the bird around to the front yard and dug a hole in the flower garden, next to the petunia bed”. This means he wanted the bird to have a proper burial. Doodle feels empathetic for the bird and does what he would want someone to do for him. He says this so that you know how bad Doodle feelings are about the bird’s death. The author wants you to see that Doodle feels about the situation. As the reader you feel sorry for doodle because you see the connection between him and the bird. You can tell the authors foreshadowing. Doodles connection with the bird is obvious. In addition to Doodle and the readers, there are others that recognize a tragic link between Doodle and the ibis. The writer says, “Dead birds is bad luck…Specially red dead birds.” Nobody feels good about the ibis dying in their yard. The all know it’s not a good sign. The author says this to