Short Story midterm
What inferences can you make about Doodle from the details offered in this paragraph? Explain your thought process.
We can infer that Doodle was born with some illness or disability. We can make this inference based on these text details: he "seemed all head, with a tiny body which was red and shriveled" (lines 20-21); everybody thought he would die (line 21)
What was Doodle's real name?
William Armstrong
Reread the poem "Caged Bird" on page 264. Does Mrs. Flowers teach the young Marguerite to "sing"? If so, in what way?
Yes; By requiring Marguerite to participate in the power of the spoken word, Marguerite is drawn out of her silence and will foster her ability to free herself through writing
Who is the antagonist in "TMDG"?
Zaroff
Zaroff
Zaroff is an egotistical psychopath. He is bored with the game he has been hunting is wants more of a challenge. He begins tricking shipwrecked visitors into going hunting with him, only to have them find out that he is really hunting them. This plays into the idea of the id/ego. He is not hyper vigilant in right versus wrong, so he feels little to no remorse for killing those who end up on his island. He is more of an id personality giving into his natural urges to hunt and kill his prey, but he comes off as a level headed ego personality at first, showing his psychopathic tendencies.
In late summer, the narrator makes Doodle work extra hard because
he wants Doodle to be skilled for school
Is the conflict, brother vs selfishness, internal or external?
internal
What point of view "TSI" in?
1st person
How many days do you have to stay alive to win the "Game"?
3
How many traps does Rainsford make?
3
What PoV is "TMDG" from?
3rd person
Which of the following themes does the symbolism of the ibis support? Find details to support your answer. This does not have to be a formal paragraph. (Choose A, B, or C) a. Selfish pride generally causes more harm than good. b. Delicate creatures need to be protected and cared for. c. Spiteful cruelty toward a loved one often stems from wounded pride.
All three fit the story, but the symbolism of the ibis specifically supports theme b because both the ibis and Doodle are delicate creatures. For evidence, see lines 45-53, 250-253, and 287-306.
Skim the selection and find examples of the various methods of characterization used by Angelou in her autobiography. Which would you say is the most powerful method used to characterize Mrs. Flowers? Use the list shown to help you with your response.
Angelou describes Mrs. Flowers's physical appearance, gives examples of her speech, and offers her own comments. The most powerful method may be Angelou's own poetic comments.
Why do you think Angelou refers to this poem in the title of her autobiography?
Angelou, as a victim of abuse, was also "bruised." Just like the caged bird she did not sing, but was trapped in an isolating silence. She learns to sing to be free
What is the connection between Doodle and the scarlet ibis?
Both are exotic creatures that have landed in a time or place that is not entirely hospitable to them. Both are delicate, frail, unusual beauties with short lives and tragic deaths.
The narrator sees Doodle as the scarlet ibis at the end, but Doodle identifies with the exotic bird immediately. To explore this symbolic connection, identify as many similarities between the ibis and Doodle as you can.
Both are exotic. Both are out of place. Both are victims of storms; both die. Both are associated with red (Doodle is red with blood when he dies).
Reread lines 60-66. A nickname can sometimes be a kind of symbol. What does Doodle's nickname tell you about the feelings and expectations others have for him?
Compared with William Armstrong, a dignified name, Doodle seems like a name for a toy or a pet. It suggests something inconsequential or amusing and indicates that the family has few or low expectations for Doodle.
What is the mood of "TMDG?"
Suspenseful Dangerous
Who dies at the end of the story?
Doodle
What happens to Doodle, and why?
Doodle dies in a storm. He tried to keep up with his brother, who ran from him, but the effort was too much for his frail body.
What is the significance of the title "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Doodle was referred to as the dead Scarlet Ibis
How does Doodle die?
He gets caught in the rain. Too much physical exertion. He begins bleeding from the mouth.
How is Doodle different from other children?
He is physically weaker than other children.
Why does the narrator teach Doodle to walk?
He was ashamed of Doodle
What is an example of human vs nature in this story?
Falling off the boat into the rough waters of the sea
What was the coffin for Doodle representative of?
His strength over tough times.
In lines 100-102, the narrator makes a direct statement that offers clues to the theme. Paraphrase the message he expresses.
Inside me (and inside others, too), some cruelty mixes with love, just as life always contains the possibility of death, and sometimes I was cruel to Doodle.
If you don't play the game....
Ivan tortures you
What animal does Whitney feel sorry for?
Jaguar
Who is the author of the story "The Scarlet Ibis" ?
James Hurst
What happens to Ivan?
Killed by Rainsford
What can Doodle do better than his brother?
Make up stories
In addition to describing her mentor in a compelling way, Angelou also presents a vivid portrait of herself as a child. List three traits Marguerite exhibits.
Marguerite is extremely shy and modest, and she is obedient (lines 88, 100-103). She is perceptive of other people's feelings and attitudes, as well as sensitive about how others view her (lines 100-103). She also hides inside a rich interior life of unspoken thoughts and imagination (lines 104-106).
What kinds of assignments does Mrs. Flowers give Marguerite?
Marguerite is to read books aloud and to make each sentence sound in as many different ways as possible (lines 127-129). Marguerite also must memorize a poem to recite (lines 181-182).
What motivates Mrs. Flowers to help Marguerite?
Momma probably asked Mrs. Flowers to help Marguerite (lines 196-197). Teachers' concerns are mentioned (lines 110-111), as well.
What is Mrs. Flowers's feeling about language?
Mrs. Flowers says that language separates people from animals (line 120) and that the human voice gives meaning to words (line 124).
What is distinctive about Mrs. Flowers's appearance and demeanor? What idea is the writer developing about Mrs. Flowers?
Mrs. Flowers seems more knowing and powerful than other people. She is unaffected by weather conditions, and her clothing matches her alone. She stays apart from others and, unlike them, wears gloves.
What was the name of the aunt that believed Doodle would live ?
Nicey
Where was the author of "The Scarlet Ibis" born?
North Carolina
What is the overall theme of the story, "The Scarlet Ibis"?
Pride
Who is the protagonist in "TMDG"?
Rainsford
Who wins the game?
Rainsford
Rainsford
Rainsford is a pretty level-headed guy until the end of the story. He starts off as someone who is simply 'lost at sea' and makes it to an island in order to survive. When he finds Ivan and Zaroff, he appreciates their hospitality and looks forward to his stay. He represents someone who live mostly by the balanced ego. He tries to make rational decisions even as he is being chased through the island by Zaroff and his hounds. At the end of the story, we can see a shift in Rainsford when he decides to kill Zaroff. Yes, Zaroff started the game, but Rainsford make up his mind that he will finish it. He breaks into Zaroff's room and they fight to the death; Rainsford is ultimately the winner. This part of his personality, though made by a 'rational' decision, is more on the side of the id.
What does Mrs. Flowers mean when she tells Marguerite that some people, though lacking formal schooling, are "more educated and even more intelligent than college professors"?
She probably means that wisdom does not depend upon formal education.
What does Angelou mean when she says that speaking was both the least and the most she could do?
Since Marguerite is so quiet, just saying "Yes, ma'am" is hard for her—perhaps the most she can do. The statement also refers to the respect that she owes: Mrs. Flowers has done so much for her, and she has been so moved by hearing Mrs. Flowers read, that answering is the least she can do in return.
What clues suggest that the appearance of the bird might be important?
The appearance of the bird is important because it is unexpected and startling. It causes the narrator to jump up, knock over his chair, and run for the door. Doodle, too, is amazed by the bird; he acts on his own to see it and speaks up about it, both of which are uncharacteristic of him. In addition, the story's title is "The Scarlet Ibis," so the first appearance of the title character is probably important.
Describe the relationship that develops between the brothers. What do you think is the reason that Doodle wins the narrator over?
The brothers find ways to enjoy their shared time. One reason may be that they have only each other; they must adapt. Another reason may be that Doodle lets his brother lead.
What words or images contribute to the mood of sadness and longing in lines 1-7?
The description that "summer was dead but autumn had not yet been born"; words like "stained," "rotting," and "rank" (lines 2-3); details of the "empty cradle" (line 5) of the nest and the graveyard flowers whose scent was "speaking softly the names of our dead" (line 7)
Which parts of this passage are written from a child's perspective? Which are written from the viewpoint of an adult reflecting on the experience?
The embarrassment over Momma's grammatical errors (lines 39-41) reflects a child's viewpoint. The comment that "Momma never giggled in her life" (line 44) reflects an adult's viewpoint.
What characteristics of the scarlet ibis are emphasized in lines 298-306?
The lines mention the bird's lack of coordination (line 299), its collapse to the ground (lines 299-301), the jerking of its graceful neck (line 301), the filming over of its eyes (line 302), its delicate feet (lines 303-304), and its exotic, flowerlike quality (lines 304-306). Taken together, the details emphasize the bird's graceful beauty—and the fact that it has died.
Why does the narrator continue to run when he knows Doodle has fallen behind him?
The narrator is frustrated or irritated with Doodle, and running away seems to be his way of punishing him. Also, the reference to "cracked pride" (line 363) suggests that the narrator has given up on helping Doodle out of a sense of pride.
What are the narrator's motives for teaching Doodle?
The narrator is motivated by embarrassment about his brother and by pride and self-interest.
The narrator has mixed emotions about Doodle. How might he answer the big question on page 460?
The narrator might say that we hurt the ones we love because we have the power to do so or because we may not be thinking about anyone but ourselves.
Why does the narrator try so hard to teach Doodle to walk? Point out statements in lines 141-148 that support your answer.
The narrator teaches him out of pride. He says that Doodle had become his "someone to be proud of" (line 142), but he doesn't realize then that "pride is a wonderful, terrible thing" (line 143).
Compare the narrator's initial reaction to Doodle with his response to Doodle's grin. What can you infer about the change in the narrator's attitude?
The narrator's initial response is to want to kill Doodle; his response to Doodle's grin shows joy and hopefulness. The narrator probably sees some chance for a relationship with the "all there" Doodle.
Reread lines 181-184. Why is the narrator ashamed of himself?
The others assume there is a selfless motivation for his teaching Doodle to walk; they think that he did it out of love or concern for Doodle. The narrator knows that he did it for himself, "because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother" (lines 183-184).
Reread lines 109-124. What does this passage reveal about the conflict developing in this selection? Summarize what you already know about Marguerite's conflict.
The passage reveals that Marguerite has a great deal to say but has a hard time saying it. Marguerite says earlier that she "sopped around the house . . . like an old biscuit," suggesting that she has been unhappy and troubled. Her unhappiness may have something to do with her reticence.
In lines 56-59, what can you infer about race relations in Stamps, Arkansas, in the 1930s? Consider whether you would be able to make these inferences if Angelou did not comment on her childhood experiences from her adult viewpoint.
The reader can infer that race relations were strained and that segregation and discrimination were common. The lines suggest that "powhitefolks" would not have used a title of respect such as "Mrs. Flowers"; rather, they would have thought themselves to be superior to her merely because their skin was white. They would have "spoken to [her] commonly as Bertha." The reader would probably not be able to make such inferences if Angelou had not provided her adult perspective on what she felt as a child. Marguerite probably realized that poor whites would have felt superior to Mrs. Flowers because of their skin color, but she would not have been able to articulate the idea so clearly.
Reread lines 298-306. The dramatic death of the ibis foreshadows Doodle's death. Find at least three other examples of such foreshadowing. What mood do they create?
The speaker's advice is not to coax but to "learn to leave alone" the things we love. The narrator coaxed too eagerly, which, given the outcome of the story, suggests that too much interference is a bad thing. Nevertheless, the story presents mixed results of noninterference, whereas the poem suggests only its virtues.
"The Scarlet Ibis" is an example of Southern literature, which is characterized in part by its emphasis on details of time and place, the importance of family and community, an exploration of the past, and a sense of moral dilemma. How are these characteristics evident in this story?
Time and place: lines 1-3, 85-99; family and community: lines 16-22, 169-180; the past: lines 5-15; moral dilemma: lines 74-85, 100-118
"Summer was dead but autumn has not yet been born" is an example of what?
personification
What color is the Ibis?
scarlet
Did Doodle like the ibis that they found?
yes
