Naturalistic Purpose in Crane

Naturalism is best defined as nature’s indifference toward the trials of humanity, and it is also used to illustrate an individual’s relationship with nature. “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane and “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, are two works highly noted as examples of man’s struggle versus nature’s forces. Crane writes in a more philosophical story line, using natural elements that define character. London however, applies the scientific method to a life and death struggle, revealing a frightening truth about human reason to that of the primal instinct of a lesser creature (the sled dog). By using these purposes the reader focuses his or her attention on key elements of the narrative, such as character, setting, conflict and theme. This gives the authors a stronger base in drawing very respectable conclusions. In both “The Open Boat” and “To Build a Fire”, the authors use purpose to make a point about man’s rule in nature.

“The Open Boat” opens with four men known as the captain, the oiler, the correspondent, and the cook, stranded in an ocean in a small dinghy. Based on a true experience Crane had on

The virtues of bravery, fortitude and integrity shown by the characters, possess no meaning in a universe that denies the importance of man. This story objectively shows the absurdity that belongs to any encounter amongst death. It takes over a man’s thoughts, feelings and brings the world to know of man’s existence (151). Crane’s purpose in placing these men in the dingy is to possibly answer the main question asked throughout the story,

Naturalists like Crane and London, use strong characterization to give the “human beasts” with the ability to understand “ the pathos” of humans. This allows the characters to bring the tragedy into a better understanding. Crane uses the correspondent with the eminent danger of waves and shows his potential failure to reach the safety of the beach, by using the “pathos of his situation” (Crane 1240). Nature being beyond man’s control failure comes as quickly as the next wave. Once again the reader can see the correspondent reflect on the struggle to survive. “The boat was headed for the beach. The correspondent wondered if none ascended the tall wind-tower, and if then they never looked seaward………….It is perhaps, plausible that a man in this situation, impressed with the unconcern of the universe, should see the innumerable flaws of his life……and wish for another chance” (1242). Using these symbolic naturalistic forces such as the waves, the shark, the gulls that lay cold, may have been to simply inspire the philosophical reflection he wanted his readers to feel (Stein 151).

Why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea, was

The naturalists wanted to understand the “laws” behind the forces that run the man’s world, each studied individuals who acted on instinct (1). Crane with is philosophical purpose is equivalent to London’s scientific observation of the lesson that reason is over the instinct of lesser animals. “When the man had finished…………the dog was disappointed and yearned back toward the fire………but the dog knew all its ancestry knew…..it knew that is was not good to walk abroad in such fearful cold” (London 1264 ). “To Build a Fire” has a nonstop narrative drive; only occasionally does London allow his readers into the man’s mind, who does not have a name in the story. Showing that London really has no co

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