Introduction The story “The Scarlet Ibis” which was written by James Hurst in 1960 is a vivid example of a work filled with symbolism as a literary technique. In particular, this method is used to describe the characters of the story and their and relationships. As objects of evaluation, two brothers will be considered, the narrator on whose behalf the story is presented, and his younger brother William, who is called Doodle. The interaction between the two boys is complex due to Doodle’s disabilities. Nevertheless, despite his vulnerability and congenital defects of health, the younger brother shows the strength of the mind and perseverance that are inherent in an adult. He does not despair and is ready to follow the narrator, who, despite his love for his brother, is quick-tempered and impatient. These differences will be examined, and the relationships between the two characters will be analyzed in the context of distinctive assessments of success. The disabilities of the younger brother do not prevent him from admiring the world, while the elder brother is inclined to show more pride, and these differences form the basis of the story. Younger Brother’s Optimism Being born with physical defects and poor coordination, Doodle was distinguished by a thirst for life and interest in the world around him. The narrator mentions his walks with the younger brother and recalls how he admired the beauty of the grass on which he sat: “It’s so pretty,” he said. “So pretty, pretty, pretty” (Hurst, p. 49). Another example is the boy’s willingness to learn to walk. Although the younger brother had such severe physical disabilities that even his parents were ready for his death, he did not want to put up with the fate of a disabled person. Doodle agrees to the storyteller’s suggestion to learn to walk, despite physicians’ disappointing predictions, and as the storyteller notes, the younger brother was successful and “was ready to show what he could do” (Hurst, p. 50). Such a desire to prove his strength characterizes the boy as a person who does not want to accept his disability status. As a result, the boy achieves results and surprises not only the brother but also his parents, who are surprised and delighted by the stubbornness of their son and the outcomes of his training. Another example of the boy’s thirst for life is his attitude to a wounded bird. The scarlet ibis that appeared at their site excited the child and forced him to run out of the house in dismay. The narrator describes the situation as follows: “Doodle’s hands were clasped at his throat, and I had never seen him stand still so long” (Hurst, p. 51). The boy is very impressed with what he sees and aims to provide all possible assistance to the wounded bird. He does not want to accept its death, but after he understands what happened, he intends to bury the bird on his own. Such respect for a living creature is no coincidence and is a deliberate author’s technique. Hurst draws an analogy between the bird and Doodle, and the title of the story confirms this since the behavior of the child is much like the action of the wounded ibis. For example, the narrator mentions the boy’s “awkwardness at digging the hole” (p. 52). Thus, Doodle’s optimism is reflected in his actions and the purity of the character’s thoughts, while his