There are many lessons to be learned about human nature, for instance: we might do the right thing for the wrong reason, when your expectations are low they are often proven wrong, and finally in the most unexpected places one may find the most admirable of qualities.In short, if you aren’t feeling the least bit emotional by the end of “The Scarlet Ibis”, go see a doctor. To begin with, people often do the right thing for the wrong reasons. From the outside looking in, other people think that the older brother is being kind to Doodle for Doodle’s sake, but it is actually the other way around. He was being kind to Doodle for his own sake.
At one point the older brother admits with remorse, “I was ashamed of having a crippled brother. ” (Hurst 173). The older brother wants Doodle to be normal, so he teaches him how to first stand and then walk, run, swim, paddle, and climb.Also the older brother states, “When Doodle was five years old, I was embarrassed at having a brother of that age that couldn’t walk, so I set out to teach him. ” Even Doodle knows that his older brother is only doing this because he doesn’t want to “haul him around all the time”. But, as said previously, their parents and other people that know them most likely think that he was doing these things out of brotherly love for Doodle.
Another theme is that often times when not much is expected out of someone they set out to prove you wrong. This shows up in almost every instance.Doodle is not expected to live when he was born, but he lives. Most people think he would not be right in the head, but he is more than “right”, he is more intelligent than his brother in some ways. He seems to compensate for his physical disabilities with his imagination and determination. Doodle was not expected to be able to stand, but he not only stood, he walked, ran, and paddled.
Although he could not do these things with the natural ease of a normally formed person, through sheer will, Doodle does his very best. Even until the end. Many people don’t push themselves to their limit, and Doodle pushed himself past his.Also, one moral is that in unexpected places, one can find the most wonderful things.
This is proven by the older brother finding his disabled brother to be a creative and persistent dreamer. By just spending the time and getting to know Doodle, his brother finds whether on purpose or by accident, a hidden treasure. Perhaps that is why this story is called “The Scarlet Ibis” because the scarlet ibis is a beautiful and striking bird that stands out. Doodle most likely stood out in a crowd, but not in the way that would draw people to him. People, in their awful ignorance, were repelled from him.Well, they missed out.
If someone really got to know Doodle, they would’ve found an irresistible little boy who expected a lot out of life, and likewise, got a lot out of life. All in all, this story was centered on a boy and his younger brother, Doodle. Although, plainly human, Doodle was an exceptionable boy. One can learn many things about life, and hopefully think about these morals.
So before doing good works out of selfishness, consider doing it out of selflessness and of pure motives, and instead of looking in the expected places for treasure, dig deeper and look in the unexpected.
