The Scarlet Ibis
Encyclopedia
"The Scarlet Ibis" is a short story written by novel
ist James Hurst. It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly
in July 1960 and won the "Atlantic First" award. It has been frequently republished in other collections.
Eventually, at the age of five, he even learns to walk. Enlightened by this, the brother decides to teach him how to run, climb vines, swim, and even fight to prepare him for school. However, almost a year after the plan was made, and the deadline was almost up, Doodle was still far from the original plans.
One day, a big red bird appears in their garden, looking sick and tired. The boys' father identifies it as a "Scarlet Ibis", a tropical bird that must have been blown off course by a recent storm. When the bird suddenly dies, Doodle, pitying the creature, decides to bury it. Afterwards, the boys go down to nearby Old Woman Swamp to continue Doodle's "training". On their way back to the house Brother has Doodle practice rowing. A sudden rainstorm comes, and when they reach the riverbank Doodle is tired and frightened. Brother is angry and frustrated that Doodle couldn't finish his training before school starts, so he runs ahead of Doodle, leaving him behind. When he doesn't see Doodle catching up, Brother returns for Doodle, only to find that he is sitting next to a red-berried bush with blood flowing out of his mouth, staining his throat and shirt red. He died like the Scarlet Ibis: red, and a long way from home. Brother cries with regret for what he has done.
. The opera will be co-produced by the HERE Arts Center
with American Opera Projects
.
he attended Booker t Washington high school in Atlanta Georgia and studied chemical engineering at North Carolina State College. However, following military service during WWII he decided to be an opera singer, and studied at the Juilliard School
of Music in New York, and also in Italy. In 1951, when he realized that he was unlikely to make it, he became a banker in New York for the next 34 years. He wrote plays and short stories in his spare time. "The Scarlet Ibis" was his only piece that gained "widespread recognition."
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
ist James Hurst. It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic Monthly
The Atlantic is an American magazine founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. It was created as a literary and cultural commentary magazine. It quickly achieved a national reputation, which it held for more than a century. It was important for recognizing and publishing new writers and poets,...
in July 1960 and won the "Atlantic First" award. It has been frequently republished in other collections.
Plot
"The Scarlet Ibis" is a story of two brothers, the narrator, whose name is not given but is simply referred to as "Brother" by his younger sibling, and "Doodle" (originally named William). Doodle is born a very sickly child who isn't expected to live. His brother wanted someone who could run and jump and play with him, but instead he got the weak and fragile Doodle. Determined to make Doodle into the brother he wants, Brother pushes him constantly, past the point of physical endurance; he is often cruel to him, even making him touch the coffin that was originally built for him as a baby. Doodle does learn a lot from Brother, but this comes at a high price.Eventually, at the age of five, he even learns to walk. Enlightened by this, the brother decides to teach him how to run, climb vines, swim, and even fight to prepare him for school. However, almost a year after the plan was made, and the deadline was almost up, Doodle was still far from the original plans.
One day, a big red bird appears in their garden, looking sick and tired. The boys' father identifies it as a "Scarlet Ibis", a tropical bird that must have been blown off course by a recent storm. When the bird suddenly dies, Doodle, pitying the creature, decides to bury it. Afterwards, the boys go down to nearby Old Woman Swamp to continue Doodle's "training". On their way back to the house Brother has Doodle practice rowing. A sudden rainstorm comes, and when they reach the riverbank Doodle is tired and frightened. Brother is angry and frustrated that Doodle couldn't finish his training before school starts, so he runs ahead of Doodle, leaving him behind. When he doesn't see Doodle catching up, Brother returns for Doodle, only to find that he is sitting next to a red-berried bush with blood flowing out of his mouth, staining his throat and shirt red. He died like the Scarlet Ibis: red, and a long way from home. Brother cries with regret for what he has done.
Analysis
The story has been described as "rich in symbolism". The Scarlet Ibis is the main symbol in this book, as is the color red.Opera
The story is being developed into an opera by composer Stefan Weisman with librettist David CoteDavid Cote (writer)
David Cote is a member of the New York Drama Critics Circle and the theater editor and chief drama critic for Time Out New York. He has also written freelance articles for The New York Times, The New York Sun, Opera News and Maxim...
. The opera will be co-produced by the HERE Arts Center
HERE Arts Center
HERE Arts Center is a New York City based off-off broadway presenting house, founded in 1993, with two stages specializing in hybrid performance, dance, theater, multi-media and puppetry. From 1993-2009, HERE supported over 12,000 artists and served approximately 950,000 audience members...
with American Opera Projects
American Opera Projects
American Opera Projects is a professional opera company based in New York City, NY and is a member of OPERA America, the Fort Greene Association, and the Alliance of Resident Theatres/ New York]] . The company's primary mission is to develop and present new works...
.
James Hurst
Hurst was born January 1, 1922, near Jacksonville, North CarolinaJacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
he attended Booker t Washington high school in Atlanta Georgia and studied chemical engineering at North Carolina State College. However, following military service during WWII he decided to be an opera singer, and studied at the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
of Music in New York, and also in Italy. In 1951, when he realized that he was unlikely to make it, he became a banker in New York for the next 34 years. He wrote plays and short stories in his spare time. "The Scarlet Ibis" was his only piece that gained "widespread recognition."