Cruelty And Good Timing Direct Murder Analysis

Is Cruelty And Good Timing Direct Murder?

The Scarlet Ibis is a short story written by James Hurst, noted particularly for its abundance of symbolism. The Scarlet Ibis is narrated through the eyes of an unnamed character we only know as "Brother", who has a physically disabled little brother named Doodle. Brother is ashamed of Doodle’s shortcomings and pushes his physical strength often during their childhood. One stormy day, Brother’s cruelty, pride and impatience spurred him to abandon Doodle in the rain. Upon returning to the place he left Doodle, Brother was met with the sight of Doodle’s corpse—bloody, pallid and curled up in the rain. Throughout the passage, Brother’s behaviors were primarily egotistical and self-motivated. At six years old, he machinated to murder Doodle, though those fell through. Growing up, Brother not only ignores Doodle’s fragile condition, but for the sake of his own interest explores its limits.
Before his death, Doodle displayed a plethora of signals that should have immediately alerted Brother that Doodle was unwell; “Doodle said he was too tired to swim, so we got into the skiff and floated down the creek with the tide … Doodle did not speak and kept his head turned away, letting one hand trail limply in the water” (p. 394). The narrator’s prideful and selfish nature ultimately murdered Doodle

Throughout the passage, Brother behaves in a narcissistic, self-motivated manner. At six years old, he machinated to kill his infant brother—simply because he did not want a sibling with special needs. To illustrate, Brother recalls the event; “It was unbearable to have an invalid for a brother, but the thought of having a brother who was invalid and not all there was too much, so I began to make plans to kill him by smothering him with a pillow” (page 365). Though one may argue that narcissistic behavior is expected of a child, it is not to be expected to the extremity that they would kill. Brother’s disturbed behavior continues into his adolescence. He even admits to it; “Within me lies a knot of cruelty borne by a stream of love and a seed of destruction in my blood, and at times I was mean to Doodle” (p. 391). Throughout the story, Doodle is taught to defy his inability by Brother, to the extent at which Doodle could run, swim and play. The relationship Brother fostered for Doodle during this time could be called caring—however, Brother only looks after Doodle because there is personal reward in doing so. That is, the pride he takes in his brother’s successes, similar to the way a dog trainer is proud of his prize hound.

Brother’s disregard for Doodle’s condition had deleterious effects on Doodle, in a myriad of ways.
Despite this, Brother tested the limits of Doodle’s health, displaying just how self-centered he was. A doctor detailed for Doodle’s family that Doodle’s condition was to be treated cautiously. “He was a burden in many ways. The doctor had said that he mustn't get too excited, too hot, too cold, or too tired and that he must always be treated gently. A long list of don'ts went with him, all of which I ignored once we got out of the house.” (p. 386) Brother not only ignores Doodle’s fragile condition, but for the sake of his own pride explores its limits when teaching Doodle. Brother thinks of Doodle as a burden because of his special needs, rather than someone to treat gently. Doodle needed be kept in a stable, calm state. It was quintessential to Doodle’s health. Brother acts as if this is not a factor to consider when interacting with Doodle, even though Doodle was visibly hurt by Brother’s expectations. Frequently, Doodle came home
exhausted.

Lastly, Doodle displays multiple alarming signals prior to his death that he was unwell. “Doodle said he was too tired to swim, so we got into the skiff and floated down the creek with the tide. … Doodle did not speak and kept his head turned away, letting one hand trail limply in the water.” (p. 394) “As we slipped through dog days, Doodle began to look feverish, and Mama felt his forehead, asking him if he felt ill. At night he didn't sleep well, and sometimes he had nightmares.” (p. 392) “Doodle was both tired and frightened, and when he stepped from the skiff he collapsed onto the mud, sending an armada of fiddler crabs rustling off into the marsh grass... He had failed and we both knew it, so we started back home, racing the storm. We never spoke (What are the words that can solder cracked pride?), but I knew he was watching me, watching for a sign of mercy. The lightning was near now, and from fear he walked so close behind me he kept stepping on my heels. The faster I walked, the faster he walked, so I began to run.” (p. 395) Despite these warnings, Brother made Doodle row back against the tide. Brother was the one began to run, leaving Doodle behind. Brother was the one who noticed that Doodle was unwell, and did nothing. Brother pushed Doodle far beyond his limits that day, ultimately causing his demise.

The narrator’s prideful and selfish nature was Doodle’s murderer. Brother does note Doodle’s pain, but does nothing to aid him. Though Brother himself was a child, he does display abnormally sadistic tendencies. For instance, the desire to kill his infant brother. Or, showing Doodle the coffin made for him when Doodle was a child, and forcing him to touch it. It might be possible that Brother was not mentally sound, himself. No eight year old child would want to watch his brother cry. No six year old child would want to kill an infant, much less an infant directly related to them.