Shame, a self-created emotion, can cause even the most humble person to do extreme things so as to cover this sense of guilt, without even considering the consequences of their actions before hand. These consequences tend to begin little and grow larger over time, increasing in the effect they have. In the short story, "The Scarlet Ibis", ashamed Brother attempts to mold his crippled sibling Doodle into a more `normal' boy with miraculous affects, which slowly, and furtively lead to unfortunate consequences.

Brother takes pride at first by teaching Doodle to walk, exceeding his expectancies and abilities. For example Doodle is very tired after trying to stand up and almost too weak to physically keep on going. This shows that Brother is overworking Doodle to an extent that isn't very safe or comfortable on Doodle's case. The reason Doodle is learning these things is not really for his...