Transcription
The Scarlet Ibis by HurstScarlet Ibis
“The Scarlet Ibis”Do you believe the narrator is guilty orinnocent?On the back of your guided notes sheet or aseparate sheet: Explain if you believe the narrator is guiltyor innocent of what happens at the end ofthe story. Find THREE pieces of “evidence” in thestory to support your position. List them inyour explanation.
“The Scarlet Ibis” Discussion Questions (pd. 1)1. How does Doodle die, and what are the signs thatit will happen?2. Why did the older brother abandon Doodle?3. Why was the older brother so motivated to teachDoodle so many things?4. What’s so important about the scarlet ibis? / Whydoes the author focus on the bird?5. Why doesn’t anyone in the family help Doodlebury the bird?6. Did the narrator have a mental problem thatcaused him to do such terrible things to Doodle?7. Why did Doodle care so much about the scarletibis?
“The Scarlet Ibis” Discussion Questions (pd. 2)1. How does Doodle die?2. Why did the narrator want to teach Doodle to walk, etc. sobadly?3. Why didn’t the author let the narrator be the first to see thescarlet ibis? Why Doodle?4. How does the narrator deal with the death of Doodle (hisremorse)?5. What will be their parents’ reaction to Doodle’s death?6. Why did the parents keep the coffin all that time?7. Why can’t the narrator accept Doodle for who he is?8. What inspired the author to write this?9. Was the narrator teaching Doodle to help him or was hedoing it completely for himself?10. Did anything in the narrator’s life cause him to act cruelly toDoodle?
“The Scarlet Ibis” Discussion Questions (pd. 4)1. The narrator wanted Doodle to be normal sobadly why?2. Does Doodle actually die? / How does Doodle die?3. Why did the narrator push Doodle so hard? Whydidn’t he give him a break?4. What’s so important about the scarlet ibis? / Whydoes the author focus on the bird?5. Why did Doodle care so much about the scarletibis?6. If the narrator hadn’t left Doodle, would Doodlehave died?7. Did the older brother want Doodle to die?
“The Scarlet Ibis” Discussion Questions (pd. 5)1. How did Doodle learn to walk when the doctorsaid he would never be able to?2. Why does the narrator seem to hate Doodle?3. Does Doodle actually die? / How does Doodle die?4. Why did the narrator push Doodle so hard?5. Why would the older brother leave Doodlebehind?6. Why did Doodle care so much about the scarletibis?7. Does the older brother feel guilty about whathappened?8. What’s so important about the scarlet ibis? / Whydoes the author focus on the bird?
“The Scarlet Ibis” Discussion Questions (pd. 6)1. This family wasn’t very hopeful – why?2. Did Doodle really want to learn how to swim, fight, run,etc. or was it him trying to live up to his brother’sexpectations?3. Does Doodle actually die? / How does Doodle die?4. Why would the author choose such a morbid death for ayoung child?5. Why would the narrator want Doodle to touch the coffin?6. Why would the narrator leave Doodle behind in alightning storm?7. Why didn’t the parents realize the narrator had problems?8. Why was the narrator’s pride so important to him?9. Why did it matter so much to the narrator that Doodlewalked, swam, etc.?
"The Scarlet Ibis" Discussion Questions (pd. 2) 1. How does Doodle die? 2. Why did the narrator want to teach Doodle to walk, etc. so badly? 3. Why didn't the author let the narrator be the first to see the scarlet ibis? Why Doodle? 4. How does the narrator deal with the death of Doodle (his remorse)? 5.
