The Scarlet Ibis

In James Hurst's "The Scarlet Ibis", the main character, also known as the narrator, had pride and shame.

Pride is one of the traits the narrator represents throughout the story. The narrator was never able to accept his younger brother, William Armstrong also known as Doodle, for who he was. Even earlier in the story, shortly after Doodle was born. His brother's unhappiness with Doodle was mostly because he wanted a brother with whom he could run and play. The thought of a brother who could barely move and probably never walk was rather embarrassing for him, so he taught him how to walk and swim. Another reason of why the narrator is prideful is because towards the end of the story when the narrator was running away from Doodle through the rain and storm, it was his pride and not being able to accept failure. When the storm calmed down the narrator went back and found Doodle dead with blood covered all over him.

The other trait the older brother represents is being shameful. He was ashamed of having a crippled brother, so he taught Doodle how to walk, not for Doodle's own convenience, but for himself. The narrator was also shameful when he ran ahead of Doodle and Doodle died due to his weak physical condition.

In conclusion, the two traits describe the narrator being prideful and being ashamed. The narrator late find out that too much pride can be a terrible thing and for that he was shameful of himself of letting Doodle die.