The Open Boat by Stephen Crane Essay Example

contemplate sand and trees? Was I brought here only to have my nose dragged away as I was about to partake in the sacred cheese of life? It is absurd. If Fate, this old hen who knows not her intentions, cannot do better than this, she should be stripped of managing men's fortunes."

The author Crane expresses her frustration and questions why she wasn't drowned at the beginning, sparing her the trouble she is currently going through. This intention is further emphasized by similar situations found in other literary works. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus could have asked a similar question while navigating the seas for ten years, though the response would have been different. Odysseus' fate was influenced by responsive gods, while in The Open Boat, the four companions are faced with an indifferent nature as their greatest determining force (Meacham p.44).

The short story highlights the limited control individuals have over the unpredictable nature. This notion is conveyed from the very beginning with the line "None of them knew the color of the sky", illustrating the despair and uncertainty faced by the "four poor waifs" as they navigate treacherous and shark-infested ocean waters in a small rowboat. Initially, they perceive nature as having deliberate intentions, as their circumstances fluctuate rapidly. Sometimes, nature aids them by blowing them towards the shore and providing seaweed for support. However, there are moments during their strenuous journey when the sea appears to be an aggressive creature, consciously trying to capsize the boat and lead its occupants to a watery demise (Meacham 43).

But eventually, they realize that the seven gods are not insane or opposed to their cause. The truth

is even scarier than these possibilities – "worse than the existence of a higher power determined to destroy them - there is no intention from the higher power at all" (Meacham 43). The lack of interest from nature is only revealed after a long battle. This idea is summarized in the following passage: "He soon discovers that each wave he conquers is not the final outburst of the ocean, nor the last effort of the fierce water. It's just a wave and there will be another one soon." The sea's one disadvantage is that after successfully overcoming one wave, there is always another one just as important and eager to swamp boats. In this struggle, the four remain silent, expressing neither optimism nor hopelessness" (Dooley 15).

The Open Boat, along with Maggie (1893) and George’s Mother (1896), among other acclaimed works by Crane, appear to present environmental determinism as the usual state- a situation that could negate human influence. This viewpoint is also evident in Crane's journalistic writings. However, a closer examination of The Open Boat reveals a new interpretation. The story is seen as a portrayal of the importance of human effort and solidarity in the face of an uncaring universe.

The short story displays Crane's mature philosophy of human action, which is partly influenced by his experiences in the American West. The story reinforces the value of resourceful human effort and suggests the possibility of real success and genuine comradeship through joint effort (Dooley 14). Despite the chaotic and distressing situation faced by the four men, they demonstrate solidarity and cooperation instead of rancor and mistrust. This trial tests their intelligence and determination, serving

as a testament to human volition and will. Although one companion does not survive, the rest manage to survive this demanding ordeal.

Works Cited

1. Crane, Stephen. The Open Boat and Other Tales of Adventure. New York: Doubleday ; McClure Co., 1898. Print.
2. Dooley, Patrick K. “The Humanism of Stephen Crane.” The Humanist Jan.-Feb. 1996: 14+. Print.
3. Eye, Stefanie Bates. “Fact, Not Fiction: Questioning Our Assumptions about Crane’s “The Open Boat.”” Studies in Short Fiction 35.1 (1998): 65.

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