In The Scarlet Ibis, the author uses color descriptions all through the text, from the very first paragraph to the very last. How does this enhance...

As “The Scarlet Ibis” opens, Jame Hurst uses the colors purple and silver which symbolize bereavement and gloom. Brother, who narrates the story, is remembering his younger sibling who passed away. He is sitting in the green room. Green is generally a symbol of life and Brother is contemplating the life he shared with Doodle as the background of the story unfolds. The tone of deep sadness that is presented in the first paragraph contributes to the theme of siblings caring for each other and the feelings of loss and guilt that Brother exhibits. Perhaps the most important color in the story is red or scarlet. It is used to describe Doodle when he is born, it is the color of the Ibis, and the bleeding tree, all which play prominently in the story. Red is a color that symbolizes love, passion, and blood. Brother obviously loves his brother as he attempts to make his life as meaningful as possible but he does it with such passion that it leads to Doodle’s death. Doodle dies under the bleeding tree which, once again, brings the color red into the story. The Scarlet Ibis is a rare bird with bright red feathers. In this story, the bird symbolizes Doodle, who is also a “rare, delicate bird.” The author use of color contributes to the tone of sadness, passion, and ultimately, loss. As the reader experiences these feelings while reading the story, the themes become more evident.