In “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, we are shown a picture of a brotherly relationship that is destroyed by shame and pride. The protagonist chooses to help Doodle in the story but realizes too late that his motivations were selfish and hurtful. And although he learns much from his younger, invalid brother, it is the final cost of the lesson that will remain with him. Throughout the story, the author utilizes literary techniques and devices to convey the overall meanings and tone. The most prominent are metaphor and simile. The usage of the simile, “Keeping a nice secret is very hard to do, like holding your breath”, shows the contrast of life and death. In the story, the narrator and his “invalid” brother sets out every single