The Scarlett Ibis by James Hurst and A Separate Peace by John Knowles

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Some people in society are judgmental toward people who belong to a minority. This unwanted prejudice and unfair treatment is, for many affected people, impossible to fully escape. In The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst and A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene and Doodle are able to detach themselves from society’s cruel interpretation of unique individuals. Doodle, crippled from birth, retreats to Old Woman Swamp. The secluded swamp is the only place he and his brother can forget the rest of society and view each other as equals, but ends up leading to Doodle’s death. Gene withdraws himself from the death and destruction that accompanies the ongoing war by living in the peaceful Devon School. Gene later experiences disastrous events because he hides from the prejudices. Doodle and Gene escape the constant war of society and inequality in Old Woman Swamp and the Devon School, respectively, but these havens ultimately lead to their downfall. In Old Woman Swamp, society is left behind by Doodle and his brother, and they achieve a feeling of equality. Doodle’s brother always wants to fit in with society; consequently, he is constantly embarrassed by his disabled brother. Doodle’s brother considers Doodle to be “invalid” at a first glance, but when the boys go to Old Woman Swamp, he treats Doodle almost as an equal (Hurst 1). The prejudices forced upon Doodle because of his disabilities vanish, and Doodle’s brother no longer needs to act as a superior to blend in with other people. Doodle’s brother is not ashamed by Doodle when they are alone; therefore, this is the only time he really sees Doodle as what he is, a human. This change in Doodle’s brother causes Doodle to feel welcome in the swamp, and even though he still knows his brothe... ... middle of paper ... ...e is regretful and horrified by how he treated Finny. Gene and Doodle both seek an escape from society’s prejudices in Old Woman Swamp and the Devon School, but these settings instead lead to a catastrophe for both people. Doodle feels welcome in Old Woman Swamp, where he is not affected by judgment people in society, and he travels there with his brother. In the swamp, he is judged even more harshly by his brother, and it is the cause of his death. Gene uses the Devon School as a retreat from the competitive veterans that disapprove of his every decision. This stay allows him to discover that he can be as prejudiced as the people that judge him. Dealing with judgment from society is difficult for many people that are made to feel inferior. Successfully escaping these judgments is an even more arduous task, and it only takes one person to destroy the haven forever.

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