Scarlet Ibis Symbolism

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In the story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, the author uses the symbol of death to show the reader how pushing someone beyond his limits can cause a permanent, negative consequence. The first time the reader sees Doodle break expectations when he does something his family thought he would never live to do. “His hand trembling, reaching out, and when he touched the casket, he screamed” (Hurst 2). This shows Doodle breaking expectations because he was supposed to be in the casket he touched, but he lived long enough to walk and touch it. The second time the reader sees death breaking expectations is when Brother pushes Doodle past his limits. “I placed my hand on his forehead and lifted his head. Limply, he fell backwards onto the earth”
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