Chapter 4 Chapter 4 American NaturalismAmerican Naturalism

Crane ·Norris ·DreisCrane ·Norris ·Dreiserer

ContentsContents

American naturalismAmerican naturalism Historical contextHistorical context Definition of NaturalismDefinition of Naturalism Features of naturalismFeatures of naturalism PractitionersPractitioners Stephen Crane (1871-1900)Stephen Crane (1871-1900)

Assignments in this Assignments in this ChapterChapter

Read Read The Open BoatThe Open Boat from the from the Selected Selected ReadingsReadings

Define the term naturalismDefine the term naturalism List the representatives of American List the representatives of American

naturalismnaturalism Tell the theme features of naturalism.Tell the theme features of naturalism. Give answers to the three questions on Give answers to the three questions on

page 121 from the selected readings page 121 from the selected readings

American naturalism

Historical contextHistorical context The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism In literary sceneIn literary scene

Historical contextHistorical context

With the technological breakthrouWith the technological breakthroughs of the Industrial Revolution, tghs of the Industrial Revolution, the prestige of science and the exphe prestige of science and the experimental method had reached an erimental method had reached an all-time high. The differences betall-time high. The differences between the rich and the poor wideneween the rich and the poor widened.d.

The Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War

When Cuban revolutionaries When Cuban revolutionaries began a war for independence began a war for independence against Spain in 1895, the against Spain in 1895, the United States lent financial and United States lent financial and moral support to the uprising.moral support to the uprising.

Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism Every field of thought in the late nineteEvery field of thought in the late ninete

enth-century was impacted by the theorenth-century was impacted by the theories of Charles Darwin. Most Social Daries of Charles Darwin. Most Social Darwinists adapted the idea, “survival of twinists adapted the idea, “survival of the fittest” of natural selection to existihe fittest” of natural selection to existing racial theories, using this hereditary ng racial theories, using this hereditary or evolutionary reasoning to explain thor evolutionary reasoning to explain the condition of the different races in theie condition of the different races in their own time. Life became a struggle for sr own time. Life became a struggle for survival.urvival.

In literary sceneIn literary scene *Realism became more controve*Realism became more controve

rsial when some practitioners brsial when some practitioners began to shock their readers with egan to shock their readers with “objective” depictions of sexu“objective” depictions of sexuality, brutality, vulgarity, and unality, brutality, vulgarity, and unredeemed injustice.redeemed injustice.

**Influenced by French novelist EInfluenced by French novelist Emile Zola, the leading Naturalist, mile Zola, the leading Naturalist, some American authors sought tsome American authors sought to integrate deterministic philosoo integrate deterministic philosophies into their literature. The Nphies into their literature. The Naturalists were intensely conceraturalists were intensely concerned with the question of whethened with the question of whether human beings could exercise cr human beings could exercise control over their fate or whether ontrol over their fate or whether their fate was determined by thetheir fate was determined by their environment. ir environment.

*Influenced by deterministic philosoph*Influenced by deterministic philosophies such as those of Darwin or Marx, thies such as those of Darwin or Marx, the Naturalists analyzed the “natural” fe Naturalists analyzed the “natural” forces or “scientific” laws that affecteorces or “scientific” laws that affected the “struggle for life.” One of the md the “struggle for life.” One of the most successful Naturalists, Stephen Craost successful Naturalists, Stephen Crane, said that we live in “a world full of ne, said that we live in “a world full of fists” in which the survivors are not nefists” in which the survivors are not necessarily the most “fit” but only the cessarily the most “fit” but only the most fortunate. most fortunate. In the 1890s,In the 1890s, Realism t Realism took on a newly philosophical character ook on a newly philosophical character in the writings of the Naturalists in the writings of the Naturalists

Definition of NaturalismDefinition of Naturalism Naturalism was a late nineteenth Naturalism was a late nineteenth

century movement in theater, film, century movement in theater, film, art and literature that seeks to art and literature that seeks to portray common values of the portray common values of the ordinary individual, as opposed to ordinary individual, as opposed to such movements as Romanticism or such movements as Romanticism or Surrealism, in which subjects may Surrealism, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic, idealistic, or receive highly symbolic, idealistic, or even supernatural treatment. even supernatural treatment. Naturalism was an outgrowth of Naturalism was an outgrowth of Realism. Realism.

Naturalism describes a type of literaNaturalism describes a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific ture that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachprinciples of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. ment to its study of human beings. Unlike realism, which focuses on litUnlike realism, which focuses on literary technique, naturalism implies erary technique, naturalism implies a philosophical position: for naturala philosophical position: for naturalistic writers, since human beings aristic writers, since human beings are, in Emile Zola's phrase, "human bee, in Emile Zola's phrase, "human beasts," characters can be studied throasts," characters can be studied through their relationships to their surrugh their relationships to their surroundings.oundings.

Features of naturalismFeatures of naturalism CharactersCharacters Frequently but not invariably ill-Frequently but not invariably ill-

educated or lower-class characters whose educated or lower-class characters whose lives are governed by the forces of lives are governed by the forces of heredity, instinct, and passion. Their heredity, instinct, and passion. Their attempts at exercising free will or choice attempts at exercising free will or choice are hamstrung by forces beyond their are hamstrung by forces beyond their control; social Darwinism and other control; social Darwinism and other theories help to explain their fates to the theories help to explain their fates to the reader. See June Howard's Form and reader. See June Howard's Form and History for information on the spectator History for information on the spectator in naturalism.in naturalism.

SettingSetting

Frequently an urban setting, but Frequently an urban setting, but usually a setting that would usually a setting that would symbolize the universe and nature. symbolize the universe and nature. Since the main conflict is man versus Since the main conflict is man versus nature, the setting is dominant in nature, the setting is dominant in the story to the point that any action the story to the point that any action taken by the characters is usually taken by the characters is usually futile. futile.

Techniques and plotsTechniques and plots The naturalistic story offers a "slice The naturalistic story offers a "slice

of life." The plot is usually chronoloof life." The plot is usually chronologically arranged and often a chronicgically arranged and often a chronicle of despair as the character strugglle of despair as the character struggles against forces he can't control. Thes against forces he can't control. The symbols usually represent the wore symbols usually represent the world, the universe and man's place and ld, the universe and man's place and problems within nature. problems within nature.

ThemesThemes Walcutt identifies Walcutt identifies survival, determinissurvival, determinis

m, violence, and taboom, violence, and taboo as key themes. as key themes. The "brute within" each individual, coThe "brute within" each individual, co

mposed of strong and often warring emposed of strong and often warring emotions: passions, such as lust, greed, motions: passions, such as lust, greed, or the desire for dominance or pleasuror the desire for dominance or pleasure; and the fight for survival in an amore; and the fight for survival in an amoral, indifferent universe.al, indifferent universe. The conflict in The conflict in naturalistic novels is often "man against naturalistic novels is often "man against nature" or "man against himself" as charnature" or "man against himself" as characters struggle to retain a "veneer of civilacters struggle to retain a "veneer of civilization" despite external pressures that tization" despite external pressures that threaten to release the "brute within."hreaten to release the "brute within."

Nature as an indifferent force acting oNature as an indifferent force acting on the lives of human beings.n the lives of human beings. The roman The romantic vision of Wordsworth--that "nature netic vision of Wordsworth--that "nature never did betray the heart that loved her"--ver did betray the heart that loved her"--here becomes Stephen Crane's view in "There becomes Stephen Crane's view in "The Open Boat": "This tower was a giant, she Open Boat": "This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the tanding with its back to the plight of the ants. It represented in a degree, to the coants. It represented in a degree, to the correspondent, the serenity of nature amid rrespondent, the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual--nature in the struggles of the individual--nature in the wind, and nature in the vision of methe wind, and nature in the vision of men. She did not seem cruel to him then, nn. She did not seem cruel to him then, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise. or beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise. But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.

The forces of heredity and enviroThe forces of heredity and environment as they affect--and afflict--nment as they affect--and afflict--individual lives. individual lives.

An indifferent, deterministic uniAn indifferent, deterministic universe.verse. Naturalistic texts often desc Naturalistic texts often describe the futile attempts of human bribe the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will, often iroeings to exercise free will, often ironically presented, in this universe tnically presented, in this universe that reveals free will as an illusion.hat reveals free will as an illusion.

PractitionersPractitioners Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser,Frank Norris, Theodore Dreiser,

Jack London, and Stephen Cran Jack London, and Stephen Crane e

ContentsContents

His life (p143)His life (p143) His major works (p143)His major works (p143) Features of his worksFeatures of his works Appreciation and analysis of Appreciation and analysis of

The Open BoatThe Open Boat

His life (p143)His life (p143) His major works (p143)His major works (p143) Features of his worksFeatures of his works Poems:Poems: brief, quotable, with the unrhymed, ubrief, quotable, with the unrhymed, u

northodox conciseness, and impressionistic inorthodox conciseness, and impressionistic imagery recognized as one of the two precursomagery recognized as one of the two precursors of imagist poetry, the other being Emily Dicrs of imagist poetry, the other being Emily Dickinson.kinson.

NovelsNovels **Man is insignificantMan is insignificant *Nature is ambivalent (it doesn't care about m*Nature is ambivalent (it doesn't care about m

an's problems)an's problems) *The psychological stress of the average perso*The psychological stress of the average perso

n in times of extreme stressn in times of extreme stress

Appreciation and analysis of Appreciation and analysis of TThe Open Boathe Open Boat

ContentsContents

IntroductionIntroduction Plot SummaryPlot Summary CharactersCharacters ThemesThemes StyleStyle SettingSetting

Introduction Introduction Published in 1897, Published in 1897, The Open BoatThe Open Boat is based on a is based on a

n actual incident from Stephen Crane’s life in n actual incident from Stephen Crane’s life in January of that year. While traveling to Cuba to January of that year. While traveling to Cuba to work as a newspaper correspondent during the work as a newspaper correspondent during the Cuban insurrection against Spain, Crane was stCuban insurrection against Spain, Crane was stranded at sea for thirty hours after his ship, thranded at sea for thirty hours after his ship, the Commodore, sank off the coast of Florida. Cre Commodore, sank off the coast of Florida. Crane and three other men were forced to navigaane and three other men were forced to navigate their way to shore in a small boat. One of the te their way to shore in a small boat. One of the men, an oiler named Billy Higgins, drowned wmen, an oiler named Billy Higgins, drowned while trying to swim to shore. Crane wrote the sthile trying to swim to shore. Crane wrote the story “The Open Boat” soon afterward. ory “The Open Boat” soon afterward.

The story tells of the travails of four men sThe story tells of the travails of four men shipwrecked at sea who must make their whipwrecked at sea who must make their way to shore in a dinghy. Crane’s grippingay to shore in a dinghy. Crane’s grippingly realistic depiction of their life-threatenily realistic depiction of their life-threatening ordeal captures the sensations and emng ordeal captures the sensations and emotions of struggle for survival against the fotions of struggle for survival against the forces of nature. Because of the work’s porces of nature. Because of the work’s philosophical speculations, it is often classihilosophical speculations, it is often classified as a work of Naturalism, a literary offfied as a work of Naturalism, a literary offshoot of the Realist movement. “The Opeshoot of the Realist movement. “The Open Boat” has proved an enduring classic tn Boat” has proved an enduring classic that speaks to the timeless experience of shat speaks to the timeless experience of suffering a close call with death.uffering a close call with death.

Plot SummaryPlot Summary The OpenThe Open Boat begins with a description of men Boat begins with a description of men

aboard a small boat on a rough sea. Details begin aboard a small boat on a rough sea. Details begin to emerge. They are four survivors of a shipwrecto emerge. They are four survivors of a shipwreck: the cook bailing water out of the bottom of the k: the cook bailing water out of the bottom of the boat, the oiler Billie rowing with one oar, the unboat, the oiler Billie rowing with one oar, the unnamed correspondent rowing with another row, named correspondent rowing with another row, and the captain lying injured in the bottom of thand the captain lying injured in the bottom of the boat. Each man stares intently at the waves whie boat. Each man stares intently at the waves which threaten to swamp the boat. The correspondech threaten to swamp the boat. The correspondent engages in rather pointless discussion with thnt engages in rather pointless discussion with the cook about the likelihood of being seen by resce cook about the likelihood of being seen by rescuers or of finding a house of refuge on shore. Thuers or of finding a house of refuge on shore. They debate the points until the oiler has twice repey debate the points until the oiler has twice repeated that they are “not there yet.”eated that they are “not there yet.”

This section features further character dThis section features further character development and superb descriptive passevelopment and superb descriptive passages depicting the tiny boat’s course acages depicting the tiny boat’s course across the rough waves. The captain briefly ross the rough waves. The captain briefly expresses doubt about their chances of sexpresses doubt about their chances of survival, but then reassures the men that urvival, but then reassures the men that “we’ll get ashore all right.” The capta“we’ll get ashore all right.” The captain is the first to spot a barely visible lightin is the first to spot a barely visible lighthouse and they know they are approachihouse and they know they are approaching shore.ng shore.

Unwilling to risk running the boat ashorUnwilling to risk running the boat ashore in the rough surf, the men wait to be spe in the rough surf, the men wait to be spotted by the lighthouse rescue crew.otted by the lighthouse rescue crew.

The lighthouse appears deserted. The men diThe lighthouse appears deserted. The men discuss rowing toward land and swimming thrscuss rowing toward land and swimming through the surf once the boat inevitably capsizough the surf once the boat inevitably capsizes in the rougher water closer to shore. They es in the rougher water closer to shore. They know that they will only grow weaker with thknow that they will only grow weaker with the passage of time. They exchange “addressee passage of time. They exchange “addresses and admonitions” in case they do not all lis and admonitions” in case they do not all live through the ordeal. When the oiler takes tve through the ordeal. When the oiler takes the boat toward shore, it quickly become appahe boat toward shore, it quickly become apparent that the rougher waves will capsize their rent that the rougher waves will capsize their vessel when they are still much too far out to vessel when they are still much too far out to swim. They return to deeper but safer offshoswim. They return to deeper but safer offshore water. A current takes them away from the re water. A current takes them away from the lighthouse, and they row toward “little dots lighthouse, and they row toward “little dots which seemed to indicate a city on the shorwhich seemed to indicate a city on the shore.” The correspondent and the oiler now take.” The correspondent and the oiler now take turns rowing so that each can spend some te turns rowing so that each can spend some time at rest.ime at rest.

Someone is seen on the shore waving to theSomeone is seen on the shore waving to them. The men soon realize that the people on m. The men soon realize that the people on shore are tourists who think they are fishershore are tourists who think they are fishermen or pleasure boaters. No help is coming.men or pleasure boaters. No help is coming.

The four men spend a cold night rowing steThe four men spend a cold night rowing steadily toward distant lights. While the corresadily toward distant lights. While the correspondent is rowing alone, a large shark cruispondent is rowing alone, a large shark cruises in the vicinity of the boat. The predator is es in the vicinity of the boat. The predator is never named, but is described in terms of itnever named, but is described in terms of its shape, size, speed, and the sound of the dos shape, size, speed, and the sound of the dorsal fin slicing through the water. This eerie rsal fin slicing through the water. This eerie scene is powerfully depicted.scene is powerfully depicted.

Thoughts of drowning plague the crew. They agonThoughts of drowning plague the crew. They agonize privately over the injustice of their situation: ize privately over the injustice of their situation: “If I am going to be drowned . . . why . . . was I all“If I am going to be drowned . . . why . . . was I allowed to come thus far?” The repeated phrase is nowed to come thus far?” The repeated phrase is never attributed; The correspondent silently recalls ever attributed; The correspondent silently recalls — incorrectly — a poem he learned as a schoolboy — incorrectly — a poem he learned as a schoolboy and never before truly understood, about a soldier and never before truly understood, about a soldier who dies lamenting that he will never again see hiwho dies lamenting that he will never again see his native land.s native land.

At dawn, the men decide that their only chance is At dawn, the men decide that their only chance is to row toward the distant shore again and swim wto row toward the distant shore again and swim when the boat capsizes. The narrative stays primarilhen the boat capsizes. The narrative stays primarily with the correspondent’s inner thoughts during y with the correspondent’s inner thoughts during this passage. He reflects that nature — previously this passage. He reflects that nature — previously personified as malicious, desiring his death — is ipersonified as malicious, desiring his death — is in fact perfectly indifferent to his fate. On the captan fact perfectly indifferent to his fate. On the captain’s order, the oiler rows the boat directly toward in’s order, the oiler rows the boat directly toward shore. shore.

A wave tosses the correspondent over the A wave tosses the correspondent over the boat and into waist-deep water, but he is tboat and into waist-deep water, but he is too weak to even stand up. Suddenly, a maoo weak to even stand up. Suddenly, a man appears on shore, stripping off his clothn appears on shore, stripping off his clothes and running into the water. The rescuees and running into the water. The rescuer drags the cook to safety and then approar drags the cook to safety and then approaches the captain, who waves him away to ches the captain, who waves him away to help the correspondent first. Billie, the oihelp the correspondent first. Billie, the oiler, is face-down in the shallow water, deler, is face-down in the shallow water, dead. The three living men are fed and tendad. The three living men are fed and tended. That night they listen to the sound of ted. That night they listen to the sound of the waves against the shore “and they felt he waves against the shore “and they felt that they could then be interpreters.”that they could then be interpreters.”

CharactersCharacters CaptainCaptain The injured captain is unable to help row the lifebThe injured captain is unable to help row the lifeb

oat. Having lost his ship, the captain is more forloroat. Having lost his ship, the captain is more forlorn and dejected than the other characters, but he fen and dejected than the other characters, but he feels that it is his duty to guide the men to safety. He els that it is his duty to guide the men to safety. He makes the decisions for the crew, and he provides makes the decisions for the crew, and he provides words of encouragement to the men rowing. At onwords of encouragement to the men rowing. At one point, the captain seems the least optimistic aboue point, the captain seems the least optimistic about the possibility of survival. However, he only once t the possibility of survival. However, he only once allows himself to express such pessimism, and he allows himself to express such pessimism, and he quickly reverses himself, speaking as if he is “sootquickly reverses himself, speaking as if he is “soothing his children,” saying that “we’ll get ashore hing his children,” saying that “we’ll get ashore all right.” in the end he survives by clinging to the all right.” in the end he survives by clinging to the overturned boat as it is washed into shallow water overturned boat as it is washed into shallow water by the surf. Even then, he waves away a rescuer anby the surf. Even then, he waves away a rescuer and points to the correspondent, indicating that he shd points to the correspondent, indicating that he should be helped ashore first.ould be helped ashore first.

CookCook The cook is described as fat and untidily dressed. He The cook is described as fat and untidily dressed. He

does not help row, but he does work steadily bailing sdoes not help row, but he does work steadily bailing seawater out of the boat. He is the most talkative of the eawater out of the boat. He is the most talkative of the four men, and remains unshakably certain that they four men, and remains unshakably certain that they will be rescued. When they finally sight shore, and a will be rescued. When they finally sight shore, and a building, he keeps commenting on how strange it is tbuilding, he keeps commenting on how strange it is that the “crew” of what he imagines is a life-saving shat the “crew” of what he imagines is a life-saving station has not spotted them and sent out a rescue boat tation has not spotted them and sent out a rescue boat yet. He repeats this long after it becomes apparent thyet. He repeats this long after it becomes apparent that the building is vacant and no one has seen them. Hat the building is vacant and no one has seen them. He is the only one of the four men in the boat who weare is the only one of the four men in the boat who wears a life jacket. Underscoring the randomness of the nas a life jacket. Underscoring the randomness of the natural disaster that has befallen the four very different tural disaster that has befallen the four very different men, the unfit cook is one of the three who survives, men, the unfit cook is one of the three who survives, while the oiler, a strong and capable seaman, drowns while the oiler, a strong and capable seaman, drowns in the surf just off shore.in the surf just off shore.

CorrespondentCorrespondent The character of the correspondent is autobiograThe character of the correspondent is autobiogra

phical in nature. Crane was himself shipwrecked phical in nature. Crane was himself shipwrecked off the Florida coast while working as a war correoff the Florida coast while working as a war correspondent. The correspondent is the only charactespondent. The correspondent is the only character in the story to whose thoughts the reader is giver in the story to whose thoughts the reader is given direct access. As the story progresses, the absurn direct access. As the story progresses, the absurdity of the situation impresses itself deeply on the dity of the situation impresses itself deeply on the correspondent’s mind. He recognizes that he micorrespondent’s mind. He recognizes that he might drown despite all of his efforts to survive, whight drown despite all of his efforts to survive, which causes him to consider the disheartening possich causes him to consider the disheartening possibility that nature is indifferent to his fate. His melbility that nature is indifferent to his fate. His melancholy leads him to imagine his own death as likancholy leads him to imagine his own death as like that of a French soldier in a poem who dies, une that of a French soldier in a poem who dies, unmourned, far from his homeland. In the end, the mourned, far from his homeland. In the end, the correspondent survives, largely due to sheer luck:correspondent survives, largely due to sheer luck: a large wave that carries him into shallow water a large wave that carries him into shallow water near land.near land.

Oiler (Billie)Oiler (Billie) The oiler, Billie, is the only character in thThe oiler, Billie, is the only character in th

e story whose name is given. He is also the e story whose name is given. He is also the only character in the open boat who does nonly character in the open boat who does not survive the ordeal. He is the most physicot survive the ordeal. He is the most physically able of the four characters and seems tally able of the four characters and seems the most determined to survive. The strongehe most determined to survive. The strongest rower, the oiler also makes the strongest st rower, the oiler also makes the strongest effort to swim ashore when the boat capsizeffort to swim ashore when the boat capsizes in the surf. Yet his efforts come to nothies in the surf. Yet his efforts come to nothing — he drowns in the shallow water just ong — he drowns in the shallow water just off shore while the other characters are saveff shore while the other characters are saved by what appears to be random chance.d by what appears to be random chance.

ThemesThemes *Individual Vs. Nature*Individual Vs. Nature During the late nineteenth century, AmericaDuring the late nineteenth century, America

ns had come to expect that they could control ns had come to expect that they could control and conquer their environment. With the tecand conquer their environment. With the technological breakthroughs of the Industrial Rehnological breakthroughs of the Industrial Revolution, humankind appeared to have demovolution, humankind appeared to have demonstrated its ability to both understand and to nstrated its ability to both understand and to dominate the forces of nature. In “The Open dominate the forces of nature. In “The Open Boat,” Crane questions these self-confident aBoat,” Crane questions these self-confident assumptions by describing the precarious situssumptions by describing the precarious situation of four shipwrecked men as they are tosation of four shipwrecked men as they are tossed about on the sea. sed about on the sea.

The men seem to recognize that they are helplesThe men seem to recognize that they are helpless in the face of nature. Their lives could be lost as in the face of nature. Their lives could be lost at any moment by the most common of natural pt any moment by the most common of natural phenomena: a wave, a current, the wind, a shark, henomena: a wave, a current, the wind, a shark, or even simple starvation and exposure. The meor even simple starvation and exposure. The men are at the mercy of mere chance.n are at the mercy of mere chance. This realizatio This realization profoundly affects the correspondent, who is ann profoundly affects the correspondent, who is angered that he might be drowned despite all of his egered that he might be drowned despite all of his efforts to save himself. In a passage that drips with ifforts to save himself. In a passage that drips with irony, Crane writes of the correspondent: “He thorony, Crane writes of the correspondent: “He thought: ‘Am I going to drown? Can it be possible? Cught: ‘Am I going to drown? Can it be possible? Can it be possible? Can it be possible?’ Perhaps an an it be possible? Can it be possible?’ Perhaps an individual must consider his own death to be the fiindividual must consider his own death to be the final phenomenon of nature.” nal phenomenon of nature.” This passage suggeThis passage suggests the absurdity of an individual’s sense of selsts the absurdity of an individual’s sense of self-importance against the mindless power of natuf-importance against the mindless power of nature.( answer to question 2 on p121)re.( answer to question 2 on p121)

Perspective (question 1 p121)Perspective (question 1 p121) One of the main themes of the story concernsOne of the main themes of the story concerns t t

he limitations of any one perspective, or poihe limitations of any one perspective, or point of viewnt of view. Crane’s famous first sentence of t. Crane’s famous first sentence of the story presents this theme immediately: “Nhe story presents this theme immediately: “None of them knew the color of the sky.” one of them knew the color of the sky.” The The men in the boat are so focused on the danger men in the boat are so focused on the danger presented to them by the waves that they are presented to them by the waves that they are oblivious to all elseoblivious to all else.. The story continually em The story continually emphasizes phasizes the limitations of a single perspectivthe limitations of a single perspectivee.. When the shipwrecked men are first spotted When the shipwrecked men are first spotted from the shore, they are mistaken for fishermefrom the shore, they are mistaken for fishermen. The people on shore do not perceive their din. The people on shore do not perceive their distress and only wave cheerfully to the men. Crstress and only wave cheerfully to the men. Crane writes of the men in the boat that if they wane writes of the men in the boat that if they were viewed “from a balcony, the whole thing ere viewed “from a balcony, the whole thing would doubtless have been weirdly picturesquwould doubtless have been weirdly picturesque.” e.”

This serene perspective contrasts markedly wThis serene perspective contrasts markedly with the frightening and violent reality the men ith the frightening and violent reality the men in the boat are experiencing.in the boat are experiencing. Crane’s point Crane’s point seems to be that humans can never fully coseems to be that humans can never fully comprehend the true quality of reality, but onmprehend the true quality of reality, but only their own limited view of it.ly their own limited view of it. Throughout t Throughout the story, the situation of the men in the boat she story, the situation of the men in the boat seems to them “absurd,” “preposterous,” aeems to them “absurd,” “preposterous,” and without any underlying reason or meaning.nd without any underlying reason or meaning. Yet once the three survivors are safely on sho Yet once the three survivors are safely on shore at the end of the story, they believe that there at the end of the story, they believe that they can look back and “interpret” the import y can look back and “interpret” the import or meaning of what has happened to them. or meaning of what has happened to them.

(answer to question 3 on p121) The last line of t(answer to question 3 on p121) The last line of the story has the men looking out upon the sea ohe story has the men looking out upon the sea oncence again deluded into believing they can make again deluded into believing they can make sense of it. With the death of the oiler and the rsense of it. With the death of the oiler and the rescue of the others, the bond between the men iescue of the others, the bond between the men is broken and each is left to believe that his expes broken and each is left to believe that his experience and particular reason for survival has sorience and particular reason for survival has some larger meaning. Their brief moment of humme larger meaning. Their brief moment of human brotherhood and understanding ends with tan brotherhood and understanding ends with their rescue. The reader is left to wonder whetheheir rescue. The reader is left to wonder whether anything can ever be truly understood, or if all r anything can ever be truly understood, or if all understanding is simply an agreed-upon, limiteunderstanding is simply an agreed-upon, limited perspective that provides the illusion of unity d perspective that provides the illusion of unity to the chaos of lived events. to the chaos of lived events.

DeathDeath The drama of the story comes from the men’s The drama of the story comes from the men’s

realization that they are likely to drown. Havinrealization that they are likely to drown. Having to confront the probability of their own immig to confront the probability of their own imminent death, each of the characters accepts whanent death, each of the characters accepts what Crane calls a “new ignorance of the grave-edt Crane calls a “new ignorance of the grave-edge.” It is interesting that Crane refers to this uge.” It is interesting that Crane refers to this understanding as “ignorance” rather than “knderstanding as “ignorance” rather than “knowledge.” nowledge.” Being at the mercy of fate has Being at the mercy of fate has demonstrated to them how wrong their demonstrated to them how wrong their previous beliefs about their own importaprevious beliefs about their own importance had been (question 2).nce had been (question 2). The correspond The correspondent, in particular, is troubled by the senselessnent, in particular, is troubled by the senselessness of his predicament, and he thinks about a pess of his predicament, and he thinks about a poem in which a French soldier dies, unceremooem in which a French soldier dies, unceremoniously, far from his home and family. niously, far from his home and family.

Facing senseless death, the universe suddenlFacing senseless death, the universe suddenly seems deprived of the meaning he had prevy seems deprived of the meaning he had previously attached to it. Thus, he is overtaken by iously attached to it. Thus, he is overtaken by a new “ignorance” about life, rather than a a new “ignorance” about life, rather than a new “knowledge.” Crane seems to endorse new “knowledge.” Crane seems to endorse the idea that nature is random and senseless the idea that nature is random and senseless by having the oiler drown in the surf. Of all tby having the oiler drown in the surf. Of all the men, the oiler seemed the most likely to she men, the oiler seemed the most likely to survive, being the most physically fit. His deaturvive, being the most physically fit. His death implies that the others’ survival was mereh implies that the others’ survival was merely the result of good fortune. Once the survivly the result of good fortune. Once the survivors are safe from danger, however, death’s ors are safe from danger, however, death’s senselessness is quickly forgotten.senselessness is quickly forgotten.

Free WillFree Will Crane was regarded as a leading member of the Crane was regarded as a leading member of the

Realist or Naturalist movement in his time. One Realist or Naturalist movement in his time. One of the main concerns of the Naturalists involveof the main concerns of the Naturalists involved the dilemma of whether human beings could d the dilemma of whether human beings could exercise control over their fate or whether their exercise control over their fate or whether their fate was predetermined by their environment. fate was predetermined by their environment. To state it differently, they asked whether humTo state it differently, they asked whether humans possess a free will or were powerless to shaans possess a free will or were powerless to shape external events. Drawing upon deterministic pe external events. Drawing upon deterministic philosophies such as those of Charles Darwin, philosophies such as those of Charles Darwin, Auguste Comte, or Karl Marx, the Naturalists aAuguste Comte, or Karl Marx, the Naturalists analyzed the various natural forces that affected nalyzed the various natural forces that affected the “struggle for life.” These concerns are evithe “struggle for life.” These concerns are evident in “The Open Boat.” Although the four dent in “The Open Boat.” Although the four men are clearly making the best effort to get to men are clearly making the best effort to get to shore, it is never certain until the end whether tshore, it is never certain until the end whether they will drown. hey will drown.

Their fate seems to rest mostly in the haTheir fate seems to rest mostly in the hands of forces beyond their control. A prinds of forces beyond their control. A prime example of this comes when the corrme example of this comes when the correspondent gets caught in a current while espondent gets caught in a current while trying to swim to the shore. He is trappetrying to swim to the shore. He is trapped by an invisible force — an underwater d by an invisible force — an underwater current — which he can neither understcurrent — which he can neither understand nor escape. For unknown reasons, tand nor escape. For unknown reasons, the current suddenly frees him and he is he current suddenly frees him and he is washed ashore by a giant wave. washed ashore by a giant wave. It seems It seems clear that Crane attributes the correspclear that Crane attributes the correspondent’s survival more to uncontrollondent’s survival more to uncontrollable forces than to his own efforts.able forces than to his own efforts.

StyleStyle Naturalism Naturalism Point of View Point of View The literary technique most remarked The literary technique most remarked

upon by critics of “The Open Boat” is upon by critics of “The Open Boat” is Crane’s Crane’s unusual use of a shifting poiunusual use of a shifting point of viewnt of view. . The story is told alternativThe story is told alternatively from the perspective of each of thely from the perspective of each of the crew members, as well as from the e crew members, as well as from the vantage point of an objective observevantage point of an objective observer.r.

Often, it is not clear whose viewpoint is predoOften, it is not clear whose viewpoint is predominant at a given time. There are passages of dminant at a given time. There are passages of dialogue, too, in which the different speakers arialogue, too, in which the different speakers are never identified. In these ways, the reader is e never identified. In these ways, the reader is given the sense that all of the crew members shgiven the sense that all of the crew members share similar feelings about their predicament. Tare similar feelings about their predicament. There is also the suggestion that their reactions here is also the suggestion that their reactions are archetypal and universal; that is, that anyoare archetypal and universal; that is, that anyone would respond the same way to what they ane would respond the same way to what they are going through. The correspondent is the onlre going through. The correspondent is the only character whose inner thoughts are clearly idy character whose inner thoughts are clearly identified — perhaps because he, being a writer, entified — perhaps because he, being a writer, has the ability to articulate their experience behas the ability to articulate their experience best. st.

Some critics have viewed Crane’s shifting perSome critics have viewed Crane’s shifting perspectives as a flaw, because it hinders indepenspectives as a flaw, because it hinders independent character development. But, arguably, the dent character development. But, arguably, the story does not need its characters to develop as story does not need its characters to develop as much as to experience the same fear and anger.much as to experience the same fear and anger. Crane captures the sights, sounds, and emotio Crane captures the sights, sounds, and emotions of a near-death experience so powerful that ins of a near-death experience so powerful that it denies the characters the ability to comprehet denies the characters the ability to comprehend. For each of the characters the possibility of nd. For each of the characters the possibility of death seems unjust and senseless. Only in the edeath seems unjust and senseless. Only in the end can they begin to “interpret” their experiend can they begin to “interpret” their experience, yet the reader is not privy to their conclusince, yet the reader is not privy to their conclusions. Thus, ons. Thus, the shifting point of view appears tthe shifting point of view appears to emphasize the failure of interpretation by ao emphasize the failure of interpretation by all of the characters, rather than the knowledgll of the characters, rather than the knowledge that each has gained.e that each has gained.

SettingSetting Since “The Open Boat” is the fictional treatmeSince “The Open Boat” is the fictional treatme

nt of a real-life experience that befell Crane off tnt of a real-life experience that befell Crane off the coast of Florida, the setting of the story woulhe coast of Florida, the setting of the story would seem determined by the actual event. Howeved seem determined by the actual event. However, there is good reason to question what the settir, there is good reason to question what the setting conveys about the themes and symbolic meang conveys about the themes and symbolic meanings of the story. Even though such an event anings of the story. Even though such an event actually happened, it was still Crane’s choice as ctually happened, it was still Crane’s choice as an artist to write about it. For Crane, the event an artist to write about it. For Crane, the event must have held some deep meaning that was inmust have held some deep meaning that was inseparable from the setting, or else he might havseparable from the setting, or else he might have transformed it into a fictional account of a neae transformed it into a fictional account of a near-death experience in some other context. The er-death experience in some other context. The experience of being in an open boat, adrift on thxperience of being in an open boat, adrift on the rough sea, seems to have communicated to Cre rough sea, seems to have communicated to Crane a sense of helplessness in the face of naturane a sense of helplessness in the face of nature’s indifference. e’s indifference.

Symbolically, nature is perfectly Symbolically, nature is perfectly represented by the sea, the wind, the cold, represented by the sea, the wind, the cold, and even the shark that periodically swims and even the shark that periodically swims near the boat.near the boat. These elements pose a great These elements pose a great danger to the men, who have little they can do danger to the men, who have little they can do to protect themselves beyond rowing toward the to protect themselves beyond rowing toward the shore and hoping for assistance.shore and hoping for assistance. The nearly The nearly helpless men in the boat can be seen as a helpless men in the boat can be seen as a metaphor for all people before the forces of metaphor for all people before the forces of nature.nature. Their power to act on their own behalf Their power to act on their own behalf is small indeed when compared against the is small indeed when compared against the natural forces that allow them to exist, yet could natural forces that allow them to exist, yet could strike them down at any moment.strike them down at any moment.

The endThe end