The narrator is cruel to Doodle primarily due to a mix of pride, insecurity, and societal expectations. He struggles with his own self-image and feels ashamed of having a disabled brother, leading him to project his frustrations onto Doodle. This cruel behavior stems from a desire to conform to traditional notions of masculinity and strength, ultimately leading to a toxic relationship fueled by jealousy and a need for validation. The narrator's actions reflect both his internal conflicts and the societal pressures he faces.
What is thought to be the narrator’s condition?
The narrator's brother is nicknamed Doodle because he was physically frail and unable to walk as a baby, leading to his unusual crawling style that resembled the motion of a doodle or scribble. The name also reflects the narrator's initial disappointment and embarrassment about his brother’s limitations. Over time, however, Doodle's charm and resilience endear him to the narrator, and the nickname takes on a more affectionate tone.
In James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator teaches Doodle to walk out of a mix of pride, shame, and love. Initially embarrassed by Doodle's physical limitations, he is motivated by a desire for Doodle to be more like other boys and to prove that he is not a burden. As they bond, the narrator's intentions evolve; he wants Doodle to experience the joy of walking and to share in the adventures of childhood. Ultimately, this act reflects both his deep affection for Doodle and the societal pressures that influence his actions.
The narrator was embarrassed to teach Doodle to walk because he felt ashamed of having a brother with a disability and worried about how others would perceive them. This embarrassment stemmed from societal expectations and a desire for normalcy, leading him to feel self-conscious about Doodle's limitations. Additionally, he feared that Doodle's struggles would reflect poorly on him as an older brother, adding to his internal conflict. Ultimately, the narrator's pride and insecurities complicated his feelings toward Doodle's progress.
The narrator sets demanding goals for Doodle in an effort to prove his own abilities and to mold Doodle into a more conventional, physically capable brother. He desires to overcome the shame of having a disabled sibling and seeks validation through Doodle's achievements. This reflects the narrator's struggle with pride and societal expectations, ultimately leading to a complex relationship driven by both love and a desire for control.
The narrator in "The Scarlet Ibis" is kind to Doodle by teaching him to walk and including him in activities. However, he is also cruel to Doodle by pushing him beyond his limits to meet his own goals, ultimately leading to Doodle's tragic death.
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator, who is Doodle's older brother, is cruel to Doodle when he pushes him past his physical limits and demands too much from him, especially during their training sessions. This cruelty stems from the narrator's desire to make Doodle "normal" in order to avoid embarrassment and shame within their community.
The narrator is kind to Doodle by taking pride in his younger brother's accomplishments and nurturing his abilities, such as teaching him to walk despite his physical limitations. However, he is also cruel, driven by pride and societal expectations, as he pushes Doodle beyond his limits, often ridiculing him and showing impatience. This duality reflects the narrator's inner conflict between love and the desire for normalcy, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
When the narrator teaches Doodle to walk, the narrator believes that a. it will free him from Doodle b. he can teach Doodle to do other things, too c. his parents will appreciate him more d. Doodle will abandon him
The narrator was embarrassed that Doodle couldn't walk at the age of five.
Doodle goes from birth to 7 years of age when he dies.
What is thought to be the narrator’s condition?
The narrator is too proud to have an invalid for a brother so he takes it upon himself to teach Doodle how to stand up, walk, run and swim. His pride helped Doodle because these are activities no one ever thought Doodle would be able to do when he was born. The narrator's pride hurt Doodle because he forced Doodle to over exert himself in order to have become more athletic in too short a time. The narrator's unrealistic expectations led to Doodle dying from physical exhaustion.
The surprise that the narrator and Doodle present to their parents is that Doodle learns to walk. This comes as a shock because Doodle had struggled with physical disabilities, and his family thought he would never be able to walk.
The main characters in "The Scarlet Ibis" are the narrator, who remains unnamed, and his younger brother, Doodle. The story follows their relationship and experiences together as the narrator pushes Doodle to overcome his physical limitations.
The narrator's guilt over Doodle's disabilities and his fear of being seen as a failure by his family and community are the primary motivations pushing him to persist in working with Doodle.
The main characters in the story "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst are Doodle, the narrator (who is never named), and Aunt Nicey. The bond between the two brothers, Doodle and the narrator, is the central focus of the story.