The powerful symbols in The Scarlet Ibis cannot be mistaken for mere coincidence, and cause the reader to notice the parallels between this short story and the lives of all human beings.

A little noticed symbol, or rather, an omen in The Scarlet Ibis is the tree frogs, which Doodle's mother believed was a sign that storms were soon to come. Incidentally, minutes later, the Scarlet Ibis would die in their bleeding tree, thrown off course by a storm.

This very storm that brings the Scarlet Ibis to its death is also a symbol that trouble was on its way; Just as the Scarlet Ibis was killed by a powerful storm, Doodle will be killed by another storm later in the story.

The Ibis, scarlet not only by name but by color as well, presents the same red hue that brother sees in the blood that covers Doodle's...