Sunday, October 10, 2010

What are the main events of "The Scarlet Ibis"?

1) Doodle is born mentally and physically disabled when his brother is 6.

2) Doodle smiles at his brother who, although he is still ashamed at having a disabled brother, understands that Doodle is "all there" and worth keeping.

3) When Doodle is 2, his father builds him a go-cart to get around in.  Brother is convinced to take Doodle everywhere with him.  They go to the Old Woman Swamp, and Doodle cries at the beauty of it.

4) Brother shows Doodle the coffin ordered for him and threatens to leave him there.

5) When Doodle is 5, Brother decides to teach Doodle to walk.  He does, and the family embraces both boys.  Then, Brother teaches Doodle to run.

6) Doodle begins to get tired out from all the action, but Brother ignores his declining health.

7) Doodle finds the scarlet ibis, who dies. 

8) The boys go out to the swamp and a storm blows in.  Brother hurries towards home, leaving Doodle behind, who is too tired to go fast.

9) Brother goes back for Doodle, who is laying dead in the field in the same position as the dead scarlet ibis.

10) Brother "comes of age" - he understands the beauty of Doodle's life and his own immaturity and selfishness.

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