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Doodle, whose real name is William Armstrong, is a boy who has beaten the odds and survived through early childhood. Doodle’s physical disabilities set up the story’s major conflict. The nickname “Doodle” comes from his older brother, because as a baby he crawls backward, like a doodlebug, an insect larva. Doodle is portrayed as being resilient in many ways. When the family and doctor believe he will die, he lives. When his older brother is ashamed of him, he learns how to walk. 

Doodle’s genuine love for his family and his awe at the natural world around him reveals his sweet, innocent nature. This contrasts strongly with his older brother, who pushes Doodle beyond his physical limitations and is sometimes cruel. Doodle has an active imagination, as portrayed in his fantastical stories of people who can fly and a boy with a pet peacock and a brilliant golden coat. He enjoys life’s simple pleasures, such as making crowns and necklaces out of wildflowers. His innocent nature is illustrated in his dreams of one day living in Old Woman Swamp and gathering dog’s-tongue (wild vanilla) for a living. The death of the scarlet ibis upsets Doodle very much, suggesting he’s sensitive and full of compassion, and that he feels an affinity for this creature whose lonely, tragic death parallels his own fears. Doodle’s main desire is not to be left behind by his brother, both figuratively and literally.

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