the open boat thesis statement

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The Open Boat

Stephen crane.

“The Open Boat” primarily centers on the dynamic between humankind and nature. Humankind is represented by the four men in the boat: the correspondent , the captain , the cook , and the oiler . The men try to prevail over nature, but nature clearly has full control over them. The story is careful to point out the way that nature’s control is not due to any particular concern or contempt for the men. Instead, nature is completely indifferent to humankind, placing “The Open Boat” squarely within a literary movement known as American naturalism. Somewhat of an offshoot of realism, American naturalism is marked by themes of survival, determinism (the idea that humans can’t change their fate), and, most notably, nature’s indifference to humans.

“The Open Boat” demonstrates repeatedly that humans have no control over nature, despite their best efforts to overcome it. Throughout the story, the four men must fight against nature for their survival by navigating their tiny lifeboat through rough waters—a fight they are clearly not winning. This process drains them of their energy and spirit, leaving them like “mummies.” The men are at the mercy of nature. Whereas on land humans demonstrate their power over the natural world by branding animals, at sea these helpless men are themselves “branded” by nature: “The spray, when it dashed uproariously over the side, made the voyagers shrink and swear like men who were being branded.” Thus, at sea, the illusion of man’s control over nature is shown to be false, as nature violently asserts its dominance over the voyagers like a man branding a cow.

This man-versus-nature dynamic is also reflected in a reference to Caroline E. S. Norton’s poem, “Bingers on the Rhine.” As the correspondent rows against the violent sea, he remembers the poem, which he heard in his youth, about a dying soldier who tries in vain to keep from bleeding to death by holding his hand over his heart. The soldier’s attempt to fight against his imminent death is fruitless. Similarly, the narrator notes that nature (and consequently fate) has the power to drown humans, and all a person can do in the face of this very real threat is “shake his fist at the clouds” and curse his fate (which is as ineffective a response as the soldier clutching his chest to keep from dying).

The narrator writes that the four men in the tiny, ten-foot boat are “at the mercy of five oceans,” further emphasizing the staggering difference in size and power between nature and mankind. When the correspondent catches sight of a shark next to the boat one night, the narrator likens it to deathly weaponry with a mix of horror and fascination: “The speed and power of the thing was greatly to be admired. It cut through the water like a gigantic and keen projectile.” Even nature in its seemingly most harmless form has complete control over man; when a seagull lands on the captain, he can’t shoo it away for fear of capsizing the boat with his vigorous movements. Instead, the captain must reluctantly sit and bear it, allowing the bird to sit on his head for as long as it likes.

Though nature has complete control over humankind, it is ultimately indifferent to them—neither in favor of or against them. For example, elements of nature both help and hinder the men’s progress toward shore: “A changed tide tried to force them southward, but the wind and wave said northward.” Likewise, waves growl like menacing wild animals and then are subdued. The waves’ temperament shifts constantly, without any regard for the words and actions of the four men on the tiny lifeboat. In the ultimate show of indifference, a large wave capsizes the boat (setting in motion the events leading up to the oiler’s death), but another large wave propels the correspondent safely to shore. Nature’s indifference toward the men continues after they’ve reached land, as the “indifferent shore” has two different “welcomes” for them. For the correspondent, the cook, and the captain, the shore means safety and survival while for the oiler the shore offers only the “sinister hospitality of the grave.” Nature didn’t specifically target the oiler or try to save the other three men. Ultimately, the correspondent realizes that nature is not “cruel,” “beneficent,” “treacherous,” or “wise.” Instead, the story affirms that nature is “indifferent, flatly indifferent,” and that humans are insignificant and small in comparison to nature’s vastness. In this way, Crane encourages his readers to let go of their human pride and feel humbled by nature’s vastness and power.

Humans vs. Nature ThemeTracker

Humans vs. Nature Quotes in The Open Boat

The correspondent thought that he had been drenched to the skin, but happening to feel in the top pocket of his coat, he found therein eight cigars. Four of them were soaked with sea-water; four were perfectly scathless.

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? Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I way about to nibble the sacred cheese of life?

For it was certainly an abominable injustice to drown a man who had worked so hard, so hard. The man felt it would be a crime most unnatural. Other people had drowned at sea since galleys swarmed with painted sails, but still—

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. Any visible expression of nature would surely be pelleted with his jeers.

He has never considered it his affair that a soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers, nor had it appeared to him as a matter for sorrow. It was less to him than the breaking of a pencil’s point. Now, however, it quaintly came to him as a human, living thing.

Later, carmine and gold was painted upon the waters. The morning appeared finally, in its splendor, with a sky of pure blue, and the sunlight flamed on the tips of the waves.

A man in this situation […] should see the innumerable flaws of his life, and have them taste wickedly in his mind and wish for another chance. A distinction between right and wrong seems absurdly clear to him […] and he understands that if he were given another opportunity he would mend his conduct and his words, and be better and brighter during an introduction or at a tea.

When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea’s voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters.

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“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane: A Critical Analysis

“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane was first published in 1897 in the collection “The Open Boat and Other Tales of the Sea”.

Introduction: “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

Table of Contents

“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane was first published in 1897 in the collection “The Open Boat and Other Tales of the Sea”. This iconic short story showcases the features and qualities of Naturalism, Realism, and Impressionism, as it recounts the harrowing experience of four survivors of a shipwreck struggling to reach shore in a small boat. The story is renowned for its vivid and immersive descriptions of the sea and the characters’ desperate plight, as well as its exploration of themes such as fate, chance, and the human condition. With its innovative non-linear structure, masterful use of imagery and symbolism, and influential style, “The Open Boat” has become a classic of American literature.

Main Events in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• Stranded at Sea : The story opens with the men in a small boat, facing rapid and dangerous waves. They struggle to keep the boat afloat and face the uncertainty of their situation.
• Despair and Defeat : The men, including the injured captain, grapple with feelings of defeat and despair as they confront the harsh reality of their predicament.
• Hope on the Horizon : The captain spots a distant lighthouse, sparking hope among the men that they may find salvation.
• Bond of Brotherhood : Despite their dire circumstances, the men form a strong bond as they work together to survive, relying on each other for support.
• Sailing Towards Safety : Using makeshift sails, the men navigate towards the distant lighthouse in hopes of reaching land.
• False Hope : As they approach the shore, they realize that help may not be forthcoming, leading to frustration and disappointment.
• Struggle for Survival : Facing exhaustion and the relentless sea, the men continue to row and navigate towards land, battling against the elements.
• Facing Death : With their boat sinking and waves crashing around them, the men prepare to abandon ship and swim for shore.
• Race Against the Current : They struggle against treacherous currents, with some managing to reach the safety of the shore while others fight to stay afloat.
• Rescue Efforts : Rescuers on the shore rush to aid the survivors, providing warmth, sustenance, and assistance.
• Tragic Loss : Despite the efforts of the rescuers, one of the men, the oiler, tragically succumbs to the ordeal and is lost to the sea.
• Reflections on Mortality : The survivors reflect on their near-death experience, grappling with the fragility of life and the power of nature.
• Gratitude for Survival : Though shaken by their ordeal, the survivors express gratitude for their survival and the assistance they received.
• Symbolism of the Sea : The sea, with its beauty and brutality, serves as a powerful symbol of both danger and salvation throughout the story.
• Resilience and Redemption : Through their struggle and survival, the men find resilience and redemption, emerging from the ordeal with a newfound appreciation for life.

Literary Devices in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

Characterization in “the open boat” by stephen crane, the captain:.

• Stoic Leadership: Despite his injury and the immense burden of responsibility, the captain remains a pillar of strength. He focuses on guiding the crew towards survival, as shown by his “deep voice, with its unmoved firmness” (p. 7).
• Internal Conflict: Hints of the captain’s emotional turmoil peek through his stoicism. His voice is described as “deep with grief, and of a quality beyond speech or tears” (p. 2), suggesting a hidden depth of despair.

The Correspondent:

• Observant and Reflective: The correspondent acts as the story’s eyes and voice. He notices the beauty and danger of the natural world around them, even in the face of their desperate situation.
• Shifting Mentality: The correspondent’s initial defiance against the sea (“I do not know why I appeared here at all in this boat” [p. 3]) gradually gives way to a more resigned acceptance of their fate.

The Oiler (Billie):

• Essential Skill: The oiler, the only character given a name (Billie), is a skilled and tireless worker. His “quick movements, great skill, and fast and steady work with the oars” (p. 6) are crucial to their survival.
• Quiet Determination: Billie remains focused on the task at hand, offering little commentary on their predicament. This quiet determination suggests a deep well of strength and a practical approach to survival.
• Naive Optimism: The cook serves as a source of hope and cheerfulness. Even in bleak moments, he maintains a positive outlook, readily agreeing to the captain’s orders with a simple “All right, Captain” (p. 4).
• Dependence on Others: The cook’s optimism can also be seen as naivete. He relies heavily on the leadership of the captain and the correspondent for guidance.

Major Themes in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• Man vs. Nature: Throughout the story, the vast and powerful ocean relentlessly threatens the tiny lifeboat. Crane emphasizes this struggle through vivid descriptions of the waves as “ravenous monsters” and the incessant danger of being “swallowed up.” The men are constantly battered by the elements, highlighting their vulnerability in the face of nature’s indifference.
• The Power of Observation and Description: The story hinges on the correspondent’s (presumably Crane himself) keen observation skills. He details the specific ways the men interact with the ocean, from the captain’s calloused hands to the oiler’s fear turning his skin “peculiarly white.” These observations not only paint a vivid picture of the ordeal but also showcase the importance of clear-sighted awareness in such a desperate situation.
• Shifting Perspectives and the Limits of Certainty: The story unfolds through the correspondent’s eyes, but Crane also incorporates moments from the other men’s perspectives. The captain, a man of experience, initially exudes confidence, but his view of the situation darkens as time passes. This highlights the subjectivity of human perception and the unreliability of absolute certainty during a crisis.
• The Importance of Camaraderie and Shared Experience: Despite their individual struggles, the men rely on each other for survival. They work together to row the boat, share dwindling food and water, and offer emotional support. The story emphasizes that in the face of immense adversity, human connection and a sense of shared purpose become crucial for survival.

Writing Style in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• Vivid Imagery: Crane uses descriptive language to create a strong visual impression of the scene.
• Example: “These waves were slate-colored, except for their white-capped tops. All the men were familiar with the sea’s colors.”
• Stark Realism: The story portrays a harsh and unforgiving natural world.
• Example: “The cook sat in the boat’s bottom, staring intently at the scant six inches of wood separating him from the ocean.”
• Simile and Metaphor: Crane employs comparisons to create a relatable and impactful experience for the reader.
• Example: “Sitting in the boat felt like riding a jittery horse, and a horse wasn’t much bigger. The boat behaved like a living creature.”
• Understatement: Crane downplays the severity of situations, highlighting the characters’ emotional resilience.
• Example: “A strong bond formed among the men amidst the perils of the sea. It was unspoken, yet each man felt its warmth.”
• Action Verbs: The story uses dynamic verbs to convey the constant motion and danger of the situation.
• Example: “The waves now grew fiercer, constantly threatening to break and engulf the tiny boat in a churn of white and gray water.”

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• Realism : The story exhibits characteristics of literary realism by portraying the harsh realities of life and the struggle for survival faced by the characters. Crane’s vivid descriptions of the physical environment, the characters’ actions, and their inner thoughts create a sense of authenticity. For example, the depiction of the men’s exhaustion, fear, and determination amidst the perilous conditions of the sea reflects the realism movement’s focus on presenting life as it is.
• Naturalism : Building upon realism, “The Open Boat” also embodies naturalistic elements by depicting how the characters’ fates are determined by forces beyond their control, such as nature and fate. The men’s battle against the indifferent and relentless sea, coupled with their existential reflections on the insignificance of human life in the face of vast natural forces, align with naturalistic themes. The story suggests that despite their efforts, the characters are ultimately at the mercy of nature’s indifferent cruelty.
• Existentialism : The story delves into existential themes, particularly the individual’s confrontation with the absurdity and meaninglessness of existence. The characters’ existential crisis is evident as they grapple with their precarious situation and question the purpose of their suffering. The correspondent’s introspective thoughts and his contemplation of life’s absurdity while struggling to survive encapsulate existentialist themes of anguish and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
• Symbolism : Crane employs symbolism to imbue elements of the story with deeper meaning. The boat itself becomes a symbol of the human condition—adrift in an indifferent universe, at the mercy of fate and forces beyond one’s control. The sea represents both the source of life and the existential threat to life’s existence, while the lighthouse symbolizes hope and salvation amidst adversity. Additionally, the characters’ interactions and their roles within the boat can be seen as symbolic of human solidarity and the struggle for survival in the face of adversity.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

Short questions/answers about/on “the open boat” by stephen crane.

• What is the central conflict in “The Open Boat”?
• The central conflict is the struggle for survival faced by the four men adrift in a small boat after their ship sinks. The story details their battle against the relentless sea, exhaustion, hunger, and despair. For example, the narrator describes the waves as “slate-colored” with “white-capped tops,” a constant reminder of the danger that surrounds them.
• How does the story depict the relationship between the men?

Despite the lack of spoken communication, a strong bond develops between the men due to their shared ordeal. The story uses phrases like “a secure bond” and “each man felt it warm him” to highlight this unspoken camaraderie that emerges in the face of adversity.

• What is the significance of the sea in the story?
• The sea serves as a powerful and unforgiving force throughout the story. It represents the vastness and indifference of nature to human struggles. Descriptions like the waves “threatening to break and engulf the tiny boat” emphasize the constant danger the sea poses to the men.
• What is the ending of “The Open Boat” and how does it contribute to the story’s theme?
• The story ends with a sense of ambiguity. The men are spotted from the shore, but the reader is left unsure of their ultimate fate. This open ending reinforces the theme of human resilience in the face of an uncertain future. Even though they might be saved, the men have faced death and emerged forever changed.

Literary Works Similar to “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• “ To Build a Fire ” by Jack London: This story also deals with the struggle of man against nature. Set in the harsh Yukon wilderness, it follows a man’s journey to survive in freezing conditions, highlighting themes of human frailty and the indifference of nature.
• “ The Blue Hotel ” by Stephen Crane: Another work by Stephen Crane, this story explores themes of isolation, violence, and fate. Set in a remote hotel in Nebraska, it examines the interactions between characters from different backgrounds and the consequences of their actions.
• “ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge ” by Ambrose Bierce: This story delves into the psychological experience of a man facing execution during the American Civil War. Through intricate narrative techniques, it explores themes of perception, reality, and the passage of time.
• “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway’s story portrays a writer dying of gangrene on an African safari. As he reflects on his life and regrets, the story explores themes of mortality, regret, and the search for meaning.
• “The Raft” by Jim Lamarche: This contemporary short story depicts two brothers stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean after a shipwreck. Through their struggle for survival, the story explores themes of brotherhood, resilience, and the power of hope.

Suggested Readings about/on “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

• Crane, Stephen. The Open Boat and Other Stories . Dover Publications, 1993.
• Pizer, Donald . The Cambridge Companion to American Realism and Naturalism: From Howells to London . Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• Bloom, Harold, editor. “Introduction.” Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat . Bloom’s Literary Criticism , 2010.
• “Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat: Introduction.” American Literature , National Endowment for the Humanities, https://americanliterature.com/author/stephen-crane . Accessed 27 April 2024.

Representative Quotations from “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

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Literary Naturalism: “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane Essay

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory exerted such a powerful influence on multiple aspects of human life that its echo could be traced as far as in the literary fiction of the period characterized as literary Naturalism.

One of the most innovative writers of his generation, the American novelist, short story writer, poet, and journalist Stephen Crane produced a series of works remarkable for their Naturalistic tendencies.

Among those literary pieces, Crane’s short story “The Open Boat” is singled out by its thematic and stylistic correspondence to literary Naturalism. By means of such literary devices as setting, characters, and atmosphere, Crane efficiently develops and supports the main theme of “The Open Boat” — the impossibility of struggling against the eternal and permanent Nature.

As it is obvious from the name of the movement, Nature is the central notion that determines the course of events in a Naturalistic story. It is represented as an eternal and impregnable matter that exists independently of the worldly vanity. Natural determinism reveals itself in the fact that despite all the man’s attempts to change the natural course of events, everything happens according to the predefined scheme.

Nature is objective and remote from all the earthly suffering of man; it is neither brutal, nor friendly; it simply pursues the eternal order of things. Setting “The Open Boat” amidst the stormy sea, Crane depicts the objectivity of Nature, exactly following the Naturalistic interpretation of it as an indifferent and impartial matter:

“This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants. It represented in a degree, to the correspondent, the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual — nature in the wind, and nature in the vision of men. She did not seem cruel to him then, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise. But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.” (Crane 142)

In this fragment Crane emphasizes that Nature does not possess any emotional characteristics and only acquires them through human interpretation. Nature per se is an objective course of fixed events, and it is only through man’s vision of them that those events gain some meaning.

Placed in the objective setting of Nature are four men, the only survivors of a shipwreck who are now trying to reach the shore in a tiny dingy boat. All of them — the intellectual correspondent, the comic cook, the strong and industrious oiler, and the remote yet compassionate captain — initially pursue one aim: to survive by way of struggling with the nature. They view the sea deep as a hostile enemy who can engulf them in the twinkling of an eye, and therefore their eyes are steadily focused on it in fearful apprehension:

“None of them knew the color of the sky. Their eyes glanced level, and were fastened upon the waves that swept toward them. These waves were of the hue of slate, save for the tops, which were of foaming white, and all of the men knew the colors of the sea.” (Crane 123)

Throughout the whole story Crane comments on those colors of the sea that change in accordance to the mood of the remaining crew: the waves gradually change from dark lead to “emerald green with amber lights”, to black, to “carmine and gold” (Crane 123–124, 136–137, 141).

Those changes of color correspond to the alteration of the survivors’ mood: from despair and anger at their disastrous state, to the growing feeling of camaraderie towards each other, and finally, to the understanding of the necessity for cooperation not only among each other but also with the nature for the overall success of their rescue.

Mutual support and association with the forces of nature appear to be the key to ultimate survival of men in the seemingly hostile natural environment. It is no mere chance that the injured captain, who has demonstrated a high level of tolerance and encouragement to his team, realizes the dangers of coming too close to the shore and being trapped into a current instead of waiting for help from the rescue station.

He demonstrates an insightful understanding of the Nature’s powers from the very start of the misfortune, answering the correspondent’s question on whether they will make it to the shore by the phrase “If this wind holds and the boat don’t swamp, we can’t do much else” (Crane 127). It designates his obedience to Nature and destiny and his awareness of the higher powers that guide human existence. Another revealing fact in support of the Nature’s importance for human life is the fate of the oiler.

Being the most physically fit and trained for the battle of survival, he ventures to reach the shore swimming without any support from the dinghy and is the only one who perishes. Such is the result of his presumption and conceit in face of the omnipotent Nature which does not forgive petty arrogance and rewards cooperation instead.

Stephen Crane’s short story reflects such key concepts of literary Naturalism as natural determinism and Nature’s indifference and objectivity as opposed to the vanity and frailty of men. This story of human struggle and survival in a hostile natural environment teaches the lessons of necessity for cooperation and illusiveness of man’s free will in face of the eternal laws of Nature.

Works Cited

Crane, Stephen. “The Open Boat.” The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories . Eds. Anthony Matthew Mellors and Fiona Robertson. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1998. 123–146. Print.

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