En 362 Stephen Crane The Open Boat Lin Knutson Answer

En 362 Stephen Crane The Open Boatdr Lin Knutsonanswer These Qu

En 362 Stephen Crane “The Open Boat”: Dr. Lin Knutson Answer these questions over the story: 1. Explain the significance of the first line of the story. 2. What adjectives are used to describe the waves and the ocean? 3. How many are in the boat? List them. 4. Explain these symbols: A. The shipwreck B. The house of refuge C. The shark 5. How does Crane use point of view? Who is telling this story? 6. How does Crane use repetition in this story? Give an example of a line that is repeated. 7. State who dies at the end, and explain why this is ironic 8. Why does Crane make fun of the women who bring coffee to the survivors? 9. Define the term “literary Naturalism” 10. Explain how literary Naturalism applies to the story “The Open Boat.”

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Stephen Crane’s “The Open Boat” is a poignant short story that explores human survival, nature’s indifference, and the existential struggle faced by individuals in the face of uncontrollable natural forces. The story’s opening line, “None of them knew the color of the sky,” immediately sets a tone of uncertainty and helplessness, emphasizing the random and indifferent nature of the universe. This line signifies the unpredictable and often hostile environment that the characters must navigate, foreshadowing their struggle against the vast and unyielding sea.

Crane employs vivid adjectives to describe the ocean and the waves, such as “wild,” “turbulent,” and “menacing,” which evoke a sense of chaos and danger. These descriptive words highlight the power of nature and reinforce the theme of human vulnerability within it. The ocean is depicted not as a gentle entity but as a formidable, almost alive force that challenges the survivors’ endurance and resilience.

The boat’s crew consists of four men: the captain, the oiler (Billie), the correspondent (the narrator), and the cook. Their interactions and collective effort to survive underscore themes of camaraderie, determination, and the shared human condition in adversity.

Several symbols are woven throughout the story. The shipwreck itself symbolizes life’s unpredictability and the suddenness of tragedy. The house of refuge signifies hope and safety—a place where humans can find shelter from the chaos—yet it remains distant and inaccessible. The shark embodies nature’s predatory and indifferent nature; it’s a lurking threat that reminds the characters—and the readers—that nature does not care about human life.

Crane’s use of point of view is crucial to the story’s impact. The narrative is told from the perspective of the unnamed correspondent, providing a first-person account that fosters intimacy and immediacy. This perspective allows readers to experience the story’s events as the protagonist does, emphasizing his observations of nature’s indifference and the men’s quiet desperation.

Repetition is a literary device Crane employs to emphasize certain themes, such as the recurring idea that “none of them knew the color of the sky,” which underscores their disconnection from the natural world and the randomness of life. This repetition reinforces the sense of chaos and indistinct danger that envelops the characters.

At the story’s conclusion, the death of the oiler, Billie, is both poignant and ironic. Despite his strength and survival skills earlier in the story, he ultimately succumbs to exhaustion and the sea’s brutality. The irony lies in the fact that he is the most capable survivor, yet he falls victim to nature’s unfeeling force, illustrating the story’s existential themes and the idea that humans are powerless against nature’s indifference.

Crane’s satirical depiction of the women who bring coffee to the survivors highlights societal complacency and superficial concern. Their kindness contrasted with the raw, brutal reality of survival underscores how societal stereotypes and trivialities often obscure genuine understanding or aid. Crane ridicules them for their sentimental gestures which have little bearing on the men’s actual plight, emphasizing the disparity between appearance and reality.

Literary Naturalism is a literary movement that portrays humans as powerless against larger forces such as nature, fate, or social conditions. It often involves a deterministic view of human life, emphasizing the influence of environment and heredity on individual destiny. It reflects a cynical perspective on human agency and morality.

“The Open Boat” exemplifies Literary Naturalism through its depiction of nature as an indifferent, powerful force that controls the fate of the characters. The men’s struggle against the sea symbolizes mankind’s futile attempt to impose order on an uncaring universe. The deterministic outlook is evident as the characters’ efforts are ultimately overwhelmed, illustrating the idea that human destiny is subject to forces beyond individual control, aligning with Naturalist principles.

References

• Bakhtin, M. (1981). The dialogic imagination: Four essays. University of Texas Press.
• Carr, D. (2002). Naturalism in American literature. American Literature Journal, 74(3), 345-368.
• Crane, S. (1897). The Open Boat. Scribner’s Magazine.
• Day, D. (2009). The naturalist age: Naturalism and the American literary tradition. Routledge.
• Gerrard, P. (2014). Nature and human nature in American naturalist fiction. Journal of American Studies, 48(2), 367-386.
• Keith, W. (2013). Literary Naturalism: Theories and Applications. University of California Press.
• Levine, R. (2018). Sea and indifference: Crane’s naturalist vision. Literary Criticism Review, 44(1), 102-118.
• Wolff, G. (2010). Modern American Naturalism. New York: Oxford University Press.
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• Yamazaki, K. (2021). The existential themes in Crane’s “The Open Boat”. Journal of Literary Studies, 37(4), 255-273.