Stephen Cranes The Open Boat Essay - 1033 Words

Stephen Cranes The Open Boat Humanity often tends to see itself as being somehow important in the grand scheme of the Universe. We speak of fate as if we were put here for some reason, or purpose. We have our religions, which often serve as an engine to drive our lives and as a means to give meaning to them. But why do we think of ourselves in such a superior fashion? Do we really matter at all? Would the Universe stop if we were suddenly taken away? In his short story, The Open Boat, Stephen Crane shows us a Universe totally unconcerned with the affairs of humankind; it is an indifferent Universe in which Man has to struggle to survive. The characters in the story come face to face with this indifference and are nearly overcome†¦show more content†¦The men, however, seem removed from the clockwork of their surroundings; seperate, but somehow in the midst of everything happening around them. This indifference causes the men to feel a certain isolation from nature. They even go as far as to think of the Universe as being hostile: [The waves were] nervously anxious to do something effective in the way of swamping boats.(1) This is, however, just normal activity of nature, not any act of agression against Man. Although the men are pitted against an uncaring sea, they still at this point seem to think their destinies are controlled by some outside force. Their collective thoughts are given: If I am going to be drowned--if I am going to be drowned--if I am going to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea, was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees?...If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management of mens fortunes.(6) It soon dawns on them, though, that there is no fate, no purpose for their being where they are. It is the realization of this fact that brings the men to the brink of despair: When it occurs to a man that nature does not regard him as important, he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples.(6) It seems to them that theirShow MoreRelated Stephen Cranes The Open Boat and Jack Londons To Build A Fire 2309 Words   |  10 PagesStephen Cranes The Open Boat and Jack Londons To Build A Fire Stephen Crane’s short story, â€Å"The Open Boat† speaks directly to Jack London’s own story, â€Å"To Build A Fire† in their applications of naturalism and views on humanity. Both writers are pessimistic in their views of humanity and are acutely aware of the natural world. The representations of their characters show humans who believe that they are strong and can ably survive, but these characters many times overestimate themselves whichRead More Man and Nature in Stephen Cranes The Blue Hotel and The Open Boat2651 Words   |  11 PagesMan and Nature in The Blue Hotel and The Open Boat   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Stephen Crane uses a massive, ominous stove, sprawled out in a tiny room and burning with god-like violence, as a principal metaphor to communicate his interpretation of the world. Full of nearly restrained energy, the torrid stove is a symbol of the burning, potentially eruptive earth to which humans cling and of which they are a part. 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The first chapter is an introduction of the setting, characters, and plot. The second chapter contains innocent details to familiarize the audience with the characters and the situation, while the third chapter begins to dig into the plot. The fourth chapter sets a problem for the characters and the fifth and sixth chapters are the rising action, buildingRead MoreThe Arrogance of Man in Stephen Crane’s Short Story, The Open Boat1130 Words   |  4 Pageselement used in adventure stories and stories of survival. It is when the main character(s) of a story are in conflict with an animal or a force of nature. In Stephen Crane’s short story, â€Å"T he Open Boat,† the man vs nature conflict is present throughout the entire course of the story. The end of the story presented a controversial topic left open for discussion; who was the victor of the conflict, man or nature? A normal read though of the story would leave one with the impression that man was the winnerRead MoreEssay about Symbolism and Devices in Stephen Cranes The Open Boat1930 Words   |  8 PagesAn Examination of Symbolism and Devices in The Open Boat   Ã‚  Ã‚   The struggle for survival by mankind can be found in many different settings.   It can be seen on a battlefield, a hospital room or at sea as related in â€Å"The Open Boat†, written in 1897 by Stephen Crane.   The story is based on his actual experiences when he survived the sinking of the SS Commodore off the coast of Florida in early 1897.   â€Å"The Open Boat† is Stephen Crane’s account of life and death at sea told through the use of themesRead MoreThe Correspondent as Spokesperson and Mediator in Stephen Cranes The Open Boat828 Words   |  4 PagesThe Correspondent: the Spokesperson and the Mediator in Stephen Crane#146;s #147;The Open Boat#148; Stephen Crane#146;s #147;The Open Boat#148; has long been acclaimed as a fascinating exemplar of Naturalism, generating many studies that range from the indifference of Nature to the #147;psychological growth of the men through the experience#148; (466). 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The four stranded shipmen were a correspondent, an oiler, a cook, and a captain. The theme of the story is that man has no control over his destinies and that nature controls everything. Naturalist themes prevail in Stephen Cranes â€Å"The Open Boat† as it demonstratesRead MoreThe Open Boat by Stephen Crane Essay1882 Words   |  8 Pages â€Å"The Open Boat† is short tale of endurance, suffering, and redemption. The story focuses on four interesting sailors on a journey towards survival. They try their best to overcome the adversities of the water and raging storm. Crane focuses on the constant struggle of man’s immobility to control his own life. â€Å"The Open Boat† is a nonfictional fiction some call it. It typically is argued as only fiction, but many lean toward its nonfictional quality. Crane wrote the story based off his real life