"The Scarlet Ibis"

"The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst

James Hurst began his studies as a chemical engineer, served in the military in WWII, then pursued a career as an opera singer, and eventually became a banker in New York, during which time he wrote plays and short stories.

First published in The Atlantic Monthly in July 1960, "The Scarlet Ibis" is a short story written by novelist James Hurst. The only literary work of his that gained widespread recognition, it won the "Atlantic First" award and has become a classic of American literature.

Socratic Seminar

To help us understand the story and its messages and effects, we're going to try doing a Socratic Seminar. This is a class-based discussion led by YOU, the students.

1. You will be assigned either a speaking or a listening role (descriptions below - let me know if there is a role you would prefer!). Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and mindset of that role so that you can fulfill your role during the discussion.

2. The explorer should pick one of the questions (below) to begin your discussion if you're stuck for where to start or if you hit a dead end.

3. To help focus the discussion, consider using the following phrases:

• What question are we trying to answer? Why?
• Could you give me an example or a metaphor to explain that?
• Can you find that in the text? Where does the reading support you?
• What are you assuming in that argument?
• But what about...? (That seems at odds with what we said before, what the author said here, etc.)
• How does this relate to... (what was said before, read last week, etc.)
• Do we need to modify or rephrase the question (or answer) we are working on?
• What do you mean by _____ (key words)?
• I think we are lost. Could someone tell me where we are, where we are going, help me find some "landmarks"?
• (To a quiet but clearly engaged member:) Bob, what do you think? (Or) Is there someone who hasn't yet spoken who might have something to say at this point?

4. Debrief and evaluate the seminar

Seminar Roles

As Speaker

• Explorer Let's try a new path or perspective...
• Gadfly Everyone seems to be too easily content with saying...
• Sherlock Holmes I think we have overlooked an important clue (comment/bit of text)..
• Librarian Here's a passage in the text that supports your point...
• Matchmaker What you are saying is a lot like what Sue said earlier...
• Judge Judy Let's see what the argument is between you two and try to settle it...
• Will Rogers Let's find a way to make her/his seemingly odd/unpleasant/ incorrect comment more plausible or helpful...

As Listener

• Journalist Summarize the important points briefly
• Mapmaker Make a visual chart of paths and terrain covered in the conversation, noting major "landmarks" and "twists and turns"
• Shadow Listen to and observe one person for a fixed period of time, noting their comments and behavior (effective in large classes and for listening skill practice)
• Referee Judge which "moves" in the discussion seem warranted or unwarranted (in terms of content) and exemplary of or outside the "rules" of good seminar behavior (in terms of process)
• Coach Diagnose the overall "play" and propose some new ones, improvements in performance, strategies, etc.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the significance of the opening scene? Look at potential symbols, foreshadowing, tone.
2. Is the narrator to blame for Doodle's death? Why or why not?
3. How or why do the narrator's feelings towards Doodle change over time?
4. Why is it important that Doodle died at the end of this story?
5. What else is significant about the end of the story? Look at symbols, unusual words, ties to earlier foreshadowing.
6. How does the framing of the story as a retrospective (looking back on the past) affect the way we interpret "The Scarlet Ibis"? What does it suggest about the narrator?
7. How is Doodle's and the narrator's practice of "lying" significant?
8. How do Brother's and Doodle's values shape their lives and the choices each of them makes?
9. How are the settings of the story significant?
10. "Pathetic fallacy" is a literary device where the weather or seasonal conditions imitate or somehow reflect what's going on with the characters' emotional or mental state, contributing to the mood. How do we see this functioning in the story?
11. How are Doodle's dreams and lies significant? What do they resemble (or not resemble)?
12. What symbols does the story use? How are these connected to the main conflict and themes?
13. Neither of the boys refers to the other by their real names. What is significant about the titles they use for each other?
14. What lies does each of the boys buy into that drive their decisions?
15. It has been suggested that oppression hurts the oppressor as well as the oppressed. Is this true in "The Scarlet Ibis"?
16. Why would Hurst use an ibis in his story? Why is this the title? Is there a better title for the story?
17. It has been suggested that, since the story is set just after WWI, it serves as an allegory for what happened to a generation of young American men. What parallels can you see in the story that would support this interpretation?
18. What does Hurst suggest about how we should treat people with differing levels of ability?
19. What does Hurst suggest about the need to conquer our fears?
20. What does Hurst suggest about the role ambition plays in our relationships?
21. What does Hurst suggest about the nature of pride?