NAME______________________________________________________DATE_____________________________ENGLISH P______
“The Scarlet Ibis”
SYMBOLISM
In the story, “The Scarlet Ibis,” Hurst creates many beautiful symbols to engage the reader. One of the
most powerful symbols is the scarlet ibis symbolizing Doodle, both in life and in death.
DIRECTIONS: In the charts below, provide evidence for possible symbols in the story. Include what the
actual symbol is (tangible/concrete image) and what it represents (abstract/intangible meaning).
Explain how the evidence connects the object to its meaning.
EVIDENCE (Quote)
TANGIBLE
ABSTRACT
EXPLANATION
OBJECT
MEANING
“Its wings hung down loosely… a
feather dropped away and floated
slowly down through the green
leaves” (5).
A red feather
Doodle’s
uniqueness
The author describes the single red feather
among many green leaves. The red feather is
different from the leaves like Doodle is
different from his family because he cannot
physically perform the same way that they do.