Name ______Task 8 (CP)
The Scarlet Ibis
Directions: Please answer the following questions related to the short story.
1. During what season does the story take place?
2. How does Brother characterize Doodle as he describes him at the top of page 555?
3. How old was Brother when Doodle was born and why is Doodle seen as a disappointment?
4. When Doodle was born, everyone thought he was going to die except Aunt Nicey. Why did she think he would survive?
5. Because Doodle was expected to die, what did his father and Mr. Heath, the carpenter, build?
6. What formal name did they give Doodle three months after he was born and what does Brother think of that name?
7. On page 555, what about Doodle disappointed Brother?
8. Because Doodle is an invalid, what does Brother plan to do and why does he decide not to carry out this plan?
9. What does Doodle begin to do at the age of two and what character traits does he begin to show?
10. Why does Brother rename William Armstrong "Doodle" and why does he think it's a more appropriate name?
11. Why does Aunt Nicey dislike the name Doodle?
12.On page 556, Brother comments on the fact that Doodle was crawling, but showed no signs of walking. Because of this, what does his dad build for him? How does making sure Doodle left the house become Brother's responsibility?
13. On page 556 Brother says he believes Doodle is a burden. Why does Brother feel this way and how does he try to discourage Doodle from coming with him?
14. What does Doodle's reaction to the swamp on pages 556-557 tell you about him?
15. What did Brother and Doodle do at OldWomanSwamp?
16. What does Brother do to Doodle that illustrates cruelty?
17. How does Doodle react?
18. What was Brother going to teach Doodle to do at five years old and why?
19. Brother worked with Doodle all summer trying to teach him to walk. Even though he became discouraged, he continued to push Doodle. What tactic did Brother use on page 558 to continue to encourage Doodle to practice walking?
20. When will Brother and Doodle reveal to the family that Doodle can walk?
21. The family is crying and hugging Brother after Doodle explains that Brother is the one who taught him to walk. How does Brother react toward his parents and why is he ashamed?
22. Do you think the narrator is too hard on himself? Why or why not?
23. Because it took Brother and Doodle a long time to reach a destination, what did Brother and Doodle do to pass the time?
24. What kinds of stories did Doodle tell? Why do you think a boy like Doodle would make up these particular types of stories?
25. On pages 559 and 560, Brother plans a development program for Doodle. What is Brother going to teach him and what deadline does he set for these accomplishments?
26. Why didn't Brother make progress working with Doodle in the winter?
27. What did Brother teach Doodle to do at Horsehead Landing and Old Woman Swamp?
28. If that summer is taken as a foreshadowing of what's to come, what do you think may lie in Doodle's future? (Read page 560, paragraphs 2 and 3)
29. At the bottom of page 560, Brother comments that school was only a few weeks away and Doodle was behind schedule. What does Brother do to move along Doodle's progress?
30. How did Doodle react to Brother's behavior?
31. Why could brother not admit defeat when he realized that Doodle would not be able to complete the tasks before school started?
32. In your own words, describe how the dead bird looked (page 562). What details alert you to the fact that the events in this passage are symbolic and significant to the story?
33. What does their father use to identify the bird, what is the name of the bird, and why is it unusual that the bird is in their backyard?
34. Doodle shows compassion for the ibis when he wants to bury it. Why does Mother not want him to bury the bird and how and where does he bury the ibis?
35. Why do you think Doodle goes to such lengths to bury the ibis?
36. What are Aunt Nicey's thoughts about the dead ibis?
37. At the top of page 563, Doodle is very tired and does not want to swim. What does Brother make Doodle do? In your own words, describe the weather.
38. Doodle is tired and frightened when he gets out of the skiff. Because Doodle is tired, what happens when he steps out of the skiff?
39. What does Brother do to Doodle after he realizes Doodle will never accomplish the intended goals?
40. Trying to keep up with Brother, Doodle screams for his Brother not to leave him. However, what does Brother do and why does he act this way?
41. When Brother comes to his senses and returns for Doodle, what does he discover?
42. How is the description of Doodle's death like the description of the death of the ibis?
43. What is the theme of the story? Support your idea with example from the story.