Slankard 1

Loving Doodle
Love is eternal. Family is eternal. Many families struggle to maintain a perfectly
controlled life for themselves, let alone perfectly controlled kids. The way children behave
ultimately sets the mood of the household. Sibling relationships endure authenticity and
consciousness- as does existentialism. The authenticity of a specific brother-brother relationship
involves the battle of striving to attract attention and/or wanting to feel apart from a boy who
inspires to be just like his older brother. Siblings become conscious about their surroundings
naturally due to the love a brother has for protecting and cherishing his family. James Hurst
contends that the sibling relationship in The Scarlet Ibis stems solely on responsibility,
choices, and the later-regretted crave for freedom.
By challenging the thought of an ideal sibling relationship, Hurst touches on an emotional
and inauspicious appeal to give the story a distorted feel. A young infant, big head, shriveled,
red body, inherited the nickname Doodle because his incapability to crawl correctly resembled
that of a doodlebug (Hurst 1). Originally given the name William Armstrong (a name made for a
tombstone), Doodles older brother believes that renaming him was the kindest favor to ever
happen to him, due to the fact that no one expects much from a boy with such a silly name (Hurst
1). Because of his weak body and helpless soul, the doctor presented the news of a short life
expectancy; a coffin is built in his name, ready for when the day arrived (Hurst 1). In
accordance, Brother became responsible for Doodles well-being and entertainment for as long
as necessary. As one could imagine, Brother was irked by the fact that he was not capable of
doing any act on his own without dragging Doodle along. The simple movement of placing a
cap on his own head filled Doodles eyes with tears in hopes that he could join (Hurst 1).
Sooner than later, the responsibility of a big and protective brother seemed to lose its appeal.

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The love Brother had for Doodle was deeply prominent, but exposed in a merely grim kind of
way. James Hurst uses both hatefulness and angst to twist the feelings between the two brothers,
giving the reader an uneasy grasp. While focusing on a single individual is usually basic for an
existential author, Hurst continuously bounces the main role back and forth (Existentialism 1).
Naturally, people are drawn to Doodle and his disabilities, but throughout the story, Brothers
heroisms capture any and all attention. The boys decided to make the most of their short time
together. So, Brother decided to share the beauty of Old Woman Swamp with Doodle (Hurst 1).
Overwhelmed by the site, Doodle began to sob (Hurst 1). At that very moment, Brother knew
that that trip needed to become a reoccurrence. People often mistake existentialism with deep
and dark, but it is more of an optimistic way of life, which involves encouraging the thinking of
human beings in a positive manner (Existentialism 1). Brother felt inspired to become a better
person after seeing Doodles eyes light up from their experience together.
There is inside me (and with sadness I have seen it in others) a knot of cruelty borne by
the stream of love. And at times I was mean to Doodle (Hurst 1). Brother usually felt
suffocated from the attachment of Doodle, while Doodle loved the attention from Brother. The
constant activities became straining; Brothers aggravation got the best of him. In the heat of a
moment, Brother made it a point to show Doodle his casket to prove his displeasure (Hurst 1).
Scared and traumatized, Doodle wept in hopes that his brother would never leave his side. A
study by James Webb states that Existential depression is a depression that arises when an
individual confronts certain basic issues of existence (1). Existential depression may be found
in anyone who has encountered a loss, or even the threat of a loss (Webb 1). Doodles reaction to
his own casket verified that he will no longer live in peace. Brother tormented his mind and
further impacted his fear of death. For his own pleasure, and pity for Doodle, Brother made the

Slankard 3
doughty decision to teach Doodle to walk. Their mother, the doctor, no one believed walking
was remotely possible. Doodle did not even believe in himself anymore, which Brother knew
would make the task a lot more difficult. As any normal day, the two set out to Old Woman
Swamp for their first lesson (Hurst 1). Brother continuously hauled Doodle up and watched as
he collapsed to the ground like a half-empty flour sack (Hurst 1). Doodle quickly gave up, while
Brother strived for progress. Hurst intentionally makes the reader want to grieve with Doodle,
especially due to Brothers selfish actions. Children that suffer from Existential Depression feel
deeply disappointed and frustrated when ideals are not reached (Webb 1). It is ordinary that
these children spot and deplore the inconsistences and arbitrariness going on around them (Webb
1). Doodle felt ashamed in himself for not living up to Brothers expectations, which motivated
Brother to find the light in Doodles eyes again. But all of us must have something to be proud
of, and Doodle had become my something (Hurst 1). A fresh new approach at an objective
usually has undeniable results. Brothers new approach on focusing on Doodle and not himself
made the process seem a little more lighthearted- and a lot more enjoyable. One day, he stood.
Doodle stood for a few seconds and then collapsed in pure exuberance (Hurst 1). The brothers
hugged and laughed and loved and knew then that it could be done (Hurst 1). Many times they
went to Old Woman Swamp to practice and await the day that they could show the world the
impossible. Existentialism stresses to note the way the characters act during a subjective
experience (Art 1). The bond built among the two boys during their time together became
unfathomable. Both Brother and Doodle appeared stronger and more radiant than ever. When
the chosen day had arrived, Brother stood Doodle up in front of the family at the breakfast table
and watched as he made his way to his seat (Hurst 1). Overjoyed, Mama and Daddy and Brother
all ran to Doodles side (Hurst 1). It has been noted that through hard work and choice, freedom

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is achieved (Truth 1). Both hard work and choice are anathema to the willfully ignorant (Truth
1). Brother began to weep solely because he regretted teaching Doodle to walk for his own
satisfaction (Hurst 1).
Doodle may have appreciated the occurring freedom more than Brother. Doodle learned
to walk well and eventually he asked Brother to teach him how to run, swim, and climb trees
(Hurst 1). The light back in Doodles eyes gave Brother a warm and blissful feeling. Brother
felt so accomplished to see the new and confident Doodle. So, back to the Old Woman Swamp
they went (Hurst 1). Doodle struggled to keep up, which frustrated him beyond belief (Hurst 1).
Brother remained patient, but began to boil inside. Doodle had believed that if he could learn to
walk, he could do anything. He felt so alive and invincible, but this time at the Old Woman
Swamp brought back disheartening memories. Hurst recollects on the negative experience
Doodle had at the Swamp when learning to walk for the first time. The somber tone of the story
continues to engage the reader by exploiting an emotional side. Hurst makes it easy to relate to
Doodles struggle of displeasing those around us. Existentialism highlights individuals and their
struggle through life- focusing on the life we all actually live, rather than searching for truths
external to us (Armour 1). Doodle endures a sense of desolation when comparing himself to
anyone that seems normal:
In such depression, gifted children typically try to find some sense of meaning, some
anchor point which they can grasp to pull themselves out of the mire of unfairness.
Often, though, the more they try to pull themselves out, the more they become acutely
aware that their life is finite and brief, that they are alone and are only one very small
organism in a quite large world, and that there is a fighting freedom regarding how one
chooses to live ones life. (Webb 1)

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For Doodle, living up to an older, smarter brother remained crucial. Regardless of how many
times he tried to act like a normal boy, his disabilities continued to interfere. Brothers cynical
comments and actions only furthered Doodles anguish; Doodle essentially wanted to give up.
Oddly enough, consolation fell from the sky. While sitting at the lunch table one afternoon,
Brother and Doodle heard a strange croaking noise coming from outside of their house (Hurst 1).
The boys stopped eating to look and discover a big red bird beneath their bleeding tree (Hurst 1).
Their faces dropped in despair when they realized that the beautiful scarlet ibis was no longer
(Hurst 1). Doodle dropped to his knees to pick up the ibis and then immediately left to take it to
a proper burial location (Hurst 1). Doodle believed that he had a special connection with that
scarlet ibis. He believed that the ibis left this world too soon. He believed that he could relate to
approaching near-death. Existentially, it is not the thought of the uncertainty of death, but the
uncertainty itself of death that affiliates the mind (Molina, Chapter 7). Death can mentally affect
an individual in such a way that it can become an essential aspect of their existence (Molina,
Chapter 7). Doodles entire life has revolved around the word death, which consciously
damaged his well-being. That scarlet ibis left a significant mark on Doodle that will remain in
his heart eternally. For the rest of the day, Doodle seemed absent-minded, but Brother insisted
on having their swimming lesson. Although Doodle deliberately mentioned his exhaustion,
Brother urged him to continue on. Half-way through their lesson, lightening lit up the sky and
thunder began to drown out the sound of the sea (Hurst 1). Frightened and frantic, the boys
gathered their stuff to rush home in order to beat the storm (Hurst 1). Doodle slipped and fell
and smiled at Brother ashamedly (Hurst 1). Both boys knew that Doodle had failed. He would
never be a normal boy. The sound of lightening got closer and closer, so the boys began to run.
Brother, stronger and more experienced, took the lead, leaving Doodle behind and solitary (Hurst

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1). The frenzied atmosphere made reaching home more vital. Brother focused strictly on the
path in front until the gum tree preceding him fell in his way (Hurst 1). Brother could barely
hear Doodles sweet voice saying, Brother, Brother, dont leave me! Dont leave me! (Hurst 1).
In that moment, the streak of cruelty in Brother awakened causing him to run until only a wall of
rain separated him and Doodle (Hurst 1). The isolation Brother felt while running alone with no
one attached at his hip felt too gratifying. For once, he felt.free. Subsequently, James Webb
reveals that Isolation recognizes that no matter how close we become to one another, a gap
always remains, and we are nonetheless alone (1). Once Brothers exhilarating feeling expired
and he realized his most important concern, he went to find his brother. He approached Doodle
beneath a red nightshade bush, beside the road, with his face buried into his arms (Hurst 1).
Brother urged Doodle to get up, but no response. Brother gently lifted Doodles head to find him
unconscious and bleeding from the mouth (Hurst 1). Awestruck, Brother began to weep, leaving
only the sight of red in his blurred vision.
For a long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis
(Hurst 1). Brothers love for Doodle could be described as deep and reserved- definitely there,
but merely hidden. I concluded that love needs to be expressed in a way that impacts the lives of
others. Doodles mistreatment makes a perfect example of how no genuine affection can cause a
person to become depressed and fragile. James Hurst proves many essential points in The
Scarlet Ibis that emphasize the importance of family. The bond amongst family members simply
cannot be explained or altered. Love is eternal. Family is eternal. [1877]