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The Open Boat

            
             The Open Boat by Stephen Crane discusses the moral dilemmas of the men on this boat. The sense of loyalty that they feel to help one another helps shape the fate of the four men. Although the actions of these four men do affect their fate Mother Nature also shapes the fate of these four men. The loyalty that these four men feel towards one another and the actions of Mother Nature help to shape the destiny of the four men.
             The four men while traveling on this boat feel that they have to test many of their morals. The captain is hurt and the other men feel as if it is their duty to take over. The action of the other three men affects their survival. The men all realize that they have to work together to come out of this thing alive. This realization is most seen in the correspondent. The correspondent states that he as well as the other three have been taught to be cynical of men, but he realizes that he has shared this tragedy with the other three men on the boat and this forces him to form a comradeship that goes far beyond this experience. The correspondent also feels as if this experience is probably the best he or any of the other men have ever had. The correspondent then remembers a childhood verse about a dying solider. The correspondent felt his sympathy go towards this solider. Due to the situation that the correspondent is currently facing he feels he can relate to the dying solider. The correspondent realizes what it is like to be alone in this world but he also realizes that he doesn't have to be alone. The correspondent finally understands what it means to be human. He understands that as a human he has an obligation to help out other humans, this way when he is in need of help there will be some one there to help him. This moral revelation made by the correspondent greatly influences his fate. As the night continues the correspondent does his part in rowing the boat.


Essays Related to The Open Boat

1. The Open Boat

... of his size and significance in the universal picture. The cosmic irony in The Open Boat is symbolized by indifference, isolation and insignificance. Specifically, the three examples used by Crane in his story are: the power of the ocean against the little boat, the sea against the universe, and the little boat in a vast sea from the people on the shore. The element of indifference in the story maintains that things serve no purpose ... Nature has little to do with our welfare and functions at its own pace and leisure, enjoying as it does a superiority by which it owes nothing to man. Th...

  • Word Count: 1130
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Naturalism in "The Open Boat"

... detract or increase the urge to submit to mature. In the beginning of "The Open Boat," the trait of uncertainty breeds the willingness for man to submit. The first sentence itself tells the reader that the men did not know the color of the sky. But the men did know what the sea looked like. The sky represents the power of nature; since the men could not see the sky, they could not grasp the power of the indifference of ... Nature. Yet, the men could see the sea. The men knew ... ...

  • Word Count: 1599
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

3. The open boat

... , does he comprehend how insignificant he really is when compared to the vastness universe. In his short story, "The Open Boat," Stephen Crane shows us a Universe, which is totally unconcerned with the affairs of humankind; it is an indifferent Universe in which Man has to struggle to survive. Man, when compared to the nature of the universe, is infinitesimal which leaves him in an unfortunate situation out ... a futile struggle against nature man can only hope for companionship and not for victory. Nature is totally unconcerned to man and his troubles and just goes on its own course. Th...

  • Word Count: 1369
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Naturalism of The Open Boat and To Build a Fire

... authors have different styles of naturalism. Crane's "The Open Boat" and London's "To Build a Fire" are two stories that approach the idea of naturalism in different methods. In "The Open Boat," there is a conflict among the men in the boat and the weather surrounding them, along with the conflict among themselves trying to work together to survive. In the story "To Build a Fire," the conflict is between the man, with his lack of instinct, and ... passes, they must prepare for another. Even though is seems that the waves are relentless on their attacks on the boat, Nature is simply indi...

  • Word Count: 746
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

5. The Theme of Naturalism Depicted in "The Open Boat"

... reared, and plunged like an animal" (1). This quote from the text uses a simile to compare the seat in the boat to a broncho to show the wildness of the water. It also shows the naturalist idea of man being powerless to nature. In the beginning of "The Open Boat," Crane's descriptions of the setting show nature's lack of concern for the tragedy at hand. "The birds sat comfortably in groups, and they were envied by ... some in the dingey, for the wrath of the sea was no more ... ...

  • Word Count: 1027
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. The Open Boat

... , it pulls him back for his undoing. 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. In The Open Boat, the universe is totally unconcerned with the affairs of humankind. They are even regarded by a shark, which apparently finds no use for them. This ... indifference causes the men to feel a certain alienation from nature. They even go as far as to think of nature as being hostile ... 's indifference. Also there was a battle raging within each one of these men that cou...

  • Word Count: 1430
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The Open Boat

... school would pay close attention to the "imagery and language in a given work rather than seek out extra-textual biographical or historical references- (1). Thus The Open Boat on its own provides the material for this study of the text and Crane's piece certainly lends itself very nicely to this kind of criticism because of the rich and vibrant imagery within the story. The Open Boat is a story about what happens when ... man is pitted against the forces of nature; in this case it would be ... ...

  • Word Count: 1542
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. The Open Boat and The Blue Hote

... other, their actions reveal how being isolated together causes men to form bonds, which instill a sense of brotherhood. The sense of brotherhood and the bond that is formed out of necessity is depicted in "The Open Boat" and "The Blue Hotel." The setting of each short story causes the men to be isolated, and it is necessary for them to come together and help each other in order ... to survive. "The Open Boat" is set in the ocean, away from all civilization and land. They are off the coast of Florida, and the crashing waves prevent them from getting to ... shore. The boat they are in is...

  • Word Count: 1097
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

9. The Open Boat

In the story, The Open Boat by Stephen Crane, the central theme deals with man versus nature (naturalism), and shows the insignificance of life. This is expressed in the story by the way the characters are pitted in a small boat after surviving a shipwreck. They must face the deep sea, and the forces that nature is unleashing upon them. There are certain elements in the story that help build up and reinforce the theme. An ... it on to shore due to the strong current in front of them. It's like working so hard to fulfill your dream, but when you get there it is out of your hands; this is a cas...

  • Word Count: 304
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

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