After a shipwreck four men who under normal circumstances would not find themselves working together became very close. Ironically the ship’s captain, oiler, cook, and correspondent are placed in a lifesaving boat rowing for their lives. Our setting is that of a cold, wet, miserable and uncomfortable situation. Stephen Crane quotes. “A seat in this boat was not unlike a seat upon a bucking broncho, and by the same token a broncho is not much smaller. The craft pranced and reared and plunged like an animal. As each wave came, and she rose for it, she seemed like a horse making at a fence outrageously high (196)”. Indeed the boat was very small and almost seemed incapable. Lack of food, sleep depravation and all out misery abases thei

Towards the end of the ordeal, an important reality conference is held on the small craft. The captain who need not speak loud to generate a sense of importance, explained their situation. “Well,” said the captain, “if no help is coming, we might better try a run through the surf right away, If we stay out here much longer we will be too weak to do anything for ourselves at all (210)”. Procrastinating on taking action to survive will only hurt them, keeping this boat afloat is an arduous task. At this point there was an eerie silence and the correspondent seems to be having a moment of revelation. The sea is serene but in total control, almost as if it was a silent unbeatable enemy. Reaching the tower seemed an impossible dream. “This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants (210)”. 3

Although a captain must be overly confident and have no qualms when it issuing orders, a catastrophe under his watch can lead the most supreme leader to become mentally wounded. As Stephen Crane describes. “The injured captain lying in the bow, was at this time buried in that profound dejection and indifference which comes, temporarily at least, to even the gravest and most enduring when, willy, nilly the firm falls, the Army loses, the ship goes down (196)”. Still he took control of this small crew of men sailing for survival. This captain is mentally and physically afflicted but still has the power to fight to see the next voyage. Human beings are in g

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