Doodle goes from birth to 7 years of age when he dies.
He was 6.
Doodle is the narrator's brother he is very week. cant walk until he was six and is born in a caul
Doodle was born in 1911.
At the beginning of "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator exhibits feelings of embarrassment and disappointment towards his disabled brother Doodle. He struggles with accepting Doodle's limitations and is motivated by pride and a desire to push Doodle beyond his physical boundaries.
...
Doodle touches the mahogany casket that his father had made for him when he was born but not expected to live.
"The Scarlet Ibis" starts with the narrator recalling the day his brother, Doodle, was born and how the doctor predicted that Doodle would not live long due to his frailty and weakness. This sets the tone for the story of the brothers' relationship and the challenges they will face.
In "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the story unfolds through the narrator's recollections of his relationship with his younger brother, Doodle, who is born with disabilities. The narrator initially feels ashamed of Doodle and pushes him to meet societal expectations, leading to a mix of pride and cruelty in their interactions. As they bond during their adventures, a tragic turn occurs when a storm strikes while they are out in the rain, culminating in Doodle's death. The narrative reflects themes of love, loss, and the complexities of sibling relationships.
... the only beauty i knew, old woman swamp. ...a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love... ...our blood sometimes bears the seed of our destruction... ...pride is a wonderful, terrible thing...
The main characters in "The Scarlet Ibis" are Brother, the unnamed narrator, and his younger sibling, Doodle. Brother is ambitious and sometimes cruel, struggling with his pride and the desire for Doodle to meet societal expectations. Doodle, born with physical disabilities, is gentle, imaginative, and deeply connected to nature, symbolizing innocence and fragility. Their complex relationship highlights themes of love, pride, and loss throughout the story.
Doodle is different from other children in "The Scarlet Ibis" because he is born with physical disabilities that limit his mobility and coordination. Unlike his brother, who is able-bodied, Doodle requires extra care and attention to navigate his limitations. Despite these differences, Doodle possesses a gentle and imaginative spirit that sets him apart from his peers.
Brother wanted Doodle to know that he was very close to death when he was first born so he showed him the coffin that had been made for him. Brother also instilled a fear in Doodle that Brother could leave him helpless at any time unless Doodle did what Brother wanted him to do.