Conflicts In The Scarlet Ibis, By James Hurst

In almost every person’s life, they have something that they fight for. Whether that cause is for honor, or for family, it’s usually something that is irreplaceable. Not only is this example taken in actual life, but it can be applied to literary texts as well. This is proven in many texts, but one in particular involves the struggle of many conflicts on numerous levels. When a big brother has taken up the responsibility of watching a baby sibling, they are in charge of assisting the parents in teaching said child right from wrong, and overall will develop characteristics based off of your behavior. However, sometimes that child doesn’t live long enough to experience things that will develop them. This is proven in The Scarlet Ibis. In the text, The Scarlet Ibis, by James Hurst, Doodle strives for the goals even though he does not have a competitive nature because he is pressured by his brother to be better and his own self-reliance push him; these goals reflect the conflict that the narrator feels about Doodle

While constantly taking Doodle to Old Woman Swamp, the narrator attempts to teach his brother to walk. Eventually, they succeed, and with much surprise to the unexpecting parents and doctor. These were the people who were strongly advising that Doodle not put any strain on himself at all. Clearly, these suggestions were ignored by the narrator. “...’I’m going to teach you to walk Doodle,’ I said. He was sitting comfortably on the soft grass, leaning back against the pine. ‘Why?’ he asked. I hadn’t expected such an answer. ‘So I won't have to haul you around all the time.’ ‘I can’t walk, Brother,’ he said. ‘Who says so?’ I demanded. ‘Mama, the doctor-everybody.’ (Page 388).” In this conversation, numerous points are made that proves Doodle knows that he shouldn’t walk, but his brother pressures him into eventually attempting