I knew he was watching me, watching for a sign of mercy. The lightning was near now, and from fear he walked so close behind me he kept stepping on my heels. The faster I walked, the faster he walked, so I began to run. The rain was coming, roaring through the pines, and then, like a bursting Roman candle, a gum tree ahead of us was shattered by a bolt of lightning. When the deafening peal of thunder had died, and in the moment before the rain arrived, I heard Doodle, who had fallen behind, cry out, "Brother, Brother, don't leave me! Don't leave me!"

–“The Scarlet Ibis,”
James Hurst

Which phrases are examples of sensory imagery that help the setting come alive? Check all that apply.

“for a sign of mercy”
“the rain was coming”
"roaring through the pines"
“shattered by a bolt of lightning”
“the deafening peal of thunder”

11 answers

The phrases that are examples of sensory imagery that help the setting come alive are:

  • “the rain was coming”
  • "roaring through the pines"
  • “shattered by a bolt of lightning”
  • “the deafening peal of thunder”

These phrases evoke sensory experiences related to sound and sight, enhancing the vividness of the setting. The phrase “for a sign of mercy” does not directly relate to sensory imagery in the same manner.

hmm wrong something is wrong..

I apologize for any confusion. Let's reassess the phrases in terms of sensory imagery:

  1. “for a sign of mercy” - This phrase implies a sense of emotional or spiritual imagery but does not evoke a specific sensory experience.

  2. “the rain was coming” - This evokes the sense of touch (feeling the rain) and is a general sensory reference.

  3. "roaring through the pines" - This invokes auditory imagery with the sound of the wind or rain through the trees, making it vivid.

  4. “shattered by a bolt of lightning” - This creates visual imagery of a sudden, striking moment and the sound of a tree breaking could also be inferred.

  5. “the deafening peal of thunder” - This clearly evokes auditory imagery, describing the loud sound of thunder.

So, the correct examples of sensory imagery that help the setting come alive would be:

  • “the rain was coming”
  • "roaring through the pines"
  • “shattered by a bolt of lightning”
  • “the deafening peal of thunder”

Thank you for your patience, and I appreciate your attention to detail!

NO one of them needs to unmarked or there is one more??

Thank you for your feedback, and I appreciate your patience. Let's clarify further.

The sensory imagery examples are:

  1. “the rain was coming” - evokes sensory anticipation.
  2. "roaring through the pines" - auditory imagery.
  3. “shattered by a bolt of lightning” - visual imagery.
  4. “the deafening peal of thunder” - auditory imagery.

The phrase “for a sign of mercy” does not relate to sensory imagery, while “the rain was coming” is more of a general sensory reference.

Based on your feedback, it seems I should have clarified that “the rain was coming” could be considered less vivid than the others in the context of sensory imagery.

So the two phrases that might need revision to consider are:

  • “the rain was coming” (less vivid)
  • “for a sign of mercy” (not sensory imagery).

If you’re looking for four phrases that evoke strong sensory imagery, the final selection should be:

  • "roaring through the pines"
  • “shattered by a bolt of lightning”
  • “the deafening peal of thunder”
  • (and either "the rain was coming" for its anticipation or eliminating it for clearer strong imagery.)

Let me know if that aligns better with your interpretation! Thank you for your understanding.

YES ITS "roaring through the pines"
“shattered by a bolt of lightning”
“the deafening peal of thunder”

Daddy, Mama, and I went back to the dining-room table, but we watched Doodle through the open door. He took out a piece of string from his pocket and, without touching the ibis, looped one end around its neck. Slowly, while singing softly "Shall We Gather at the River," he carried the bird around to the front yard and dug a hole in the flower garden, next to the petunia bed. Now we were watching him through the front window, but he didn't know it. His awkwardness at digging the hole with a shovel whose handle was twice as long as he was made us laugh, and we covered our mouths with our hands so he wouldn't hear.

–“The Scarlet Ibis,”
James Hurst

What does the imagery in the passage show about Doodle?

He has many talents, including singing and gardening.
He thinks that the scene is funny and tries not to laugh.
He is afraid that he will catch a disease from the bird.
He cares about giving the bird a proper burial.

The imagery in the passage shows that Doodle cares about giving the bird a proper burial.

The way he gently handles the ibis and sings softly while he prepares to bury it demonstrates his sensitivity and respect for life. His actions reflect a sense of care and compassion, indicating that he wants to honor the bird's memory with a proper farewell.

Page 1:Page 2:
At that moment the bird began to flutter, but the wings were uncoordinated, and amid much flapping and a spray of flying feathers, it tumbled down, bumping through the limbs of the bleeding tree and landing at our feet with a thud. Its long, graceful neck jerked twice into an S, then straightened out, and the bird was still. A white veil came over the eyes and the long white beak unhinged. Its legs were crossed and its claw-like feet were delicately curved at rest. Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its exotic beauty.

–“The Scarlet Ibis,”
James Hurst

Compare the imagery used to describe the ibis in the first page to the imagery used to describe Doodle in the second. How are Doodle and the bird similar? Check all that apply.

Both fall.
Both are out in the rain.
Both are in an awkward position.
Both have a long, slim neck.
Both are described using the color red.

He didn't answer, so I placed my hand on his forehead and lifted his head. Limply, he fell backwards onto the earth. He had been bleeding from the mouth, and his neck and the front of his shirt were stained in brilliant red.

"Doodle! Doodle!" I cried, shaking him, but there was no answer but the ropy rain. He lay very awkwardly, with his head thrown far back, making his vermillion neck appear unusually long and slim. His little legs, bent sharply at the knees, had never before seemed so fragile, so thin.

–“The Scarlet Ibis,”
James Hurst

In comparing the imagery used to describe the ibis and Doodle, we can identify several similarities:

  1. Both fall. - The bird tumbles down from the tree, and Doodle collapses backwards onto the earth.

  2. Both are in an awkward position. - The ibis lies in a delicate and unnatural position after its fall, and Doodle is described as lying awkwardly with his head thrown back.

  3. Both have a long, slim neck. - The ibis is characterized by its long, graceful neck, and Doodle's neck, when thrown back, appears long and slim.

  4. Both are described using the color red. - The ibis is described in relation to red flowers, and Doodle has blood staining his mouth and shirt in brilliant red.

The option "Both are out in the rain" does not apply in this context, as the passage focuses on their physical forms and experiences rather than the weather directly affecting both characters simultaneously.

So the correct similarities between Doodle and the bird would be:

  • Both fall.
  • Both are in an awkward position.
  • Both have a long, slim neck.
  • Both are described using the color red.
At that moment the bird began to flutter, but the wings were uncoordinated, and amid much flapping and a spray of flying feathers, it tumbled down, bumping through the limbs of the bleeding tree and landing at our feet with a thud. Its long, graceful neck jerked twice into an S, then straightened out, and the bird was still. A white veil came over the eyes and the long white beak unhinged. Its legs were crossed and its claw-like feet were delicately curved at rest. Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers, and we stood around it, awed by its exotic beauty.

–“The Scarlet Ibis,”
James Hurst

Use the passage to think about the story’s central symbol.



What symbol does this passage describe?

What is the literal meaning of this symbol?

What does the symbol represent?

In the passage from “The Scarlet Ibis,” the central symbol is the ibis itself.

Literal Meaning of the Symbol:

The literal meaning of the ibis is that it is a specific type of bird that has fallen from a tree, showcasing its physical characteristics, such as its graceful form, long neck, and unique color. The passage describes the bird's fluttering, its impact on the ground, and its ultimate stillness and beauty in death.

Representation of the Symbol:

The ibis symbolizes fragility and beauty, as well as the inevitable fate of all living things. It reflects the themes of loss and mourning within the story. The ibis’s struggle and ultimate demise can be seen as a parallel to Doodle’s own challenges and vulnerabilities. Both the bird and Doodle are depicted as beautiful yet fragile, highlighting their shared struggles against the harsh realities of life. Furthermore, the image of the ibis lying gracefully amidst death also suggests the idea of finding beauty even in tragic circumstances.

In summary, the ibis serves as a powerful symbol of fragility, beauty, and the emotional weight of loss throughout the story.