Open Boat Essays - The Open Boat, Stephen Crane,

Open Boat Symbolism allows writers to suggest their ideas within a piece of literature. This is found in most types of writing. Stephen Crane expresses this in his short story, The Open Boat. Through symbolism and allegory, it is demonstrated that humans live in a universe that is unconcerned with them. The characters in the story come face to face with this indifference and are nearly overcome by Natures lack of concern. This is established in the opening scenes, the seven mad gods and in the realization of the dying soldier. The descriptions that Crane uses in the opening scenes illustrate natures lack of concern for their tragedy. He discusses the waves in the ocean that continually roll and crest. The waves are problems or situations that are unavoidable; moreover, the waves continue to flow one after another towards the poor rowers. Also, the birds sat comfortably in groups, and they were envied by some in the dingey because the birds were indifferent towards the sailors situation. They were sitting happily as if nothing was going on around them. The sailors were envious of this because they were forced to confront natures trials. The sun continues to rise and set daily, maintaining this routine regardless of what occurs in the world. The shore is also lonely and indifferent. This indifference causes the men to feel a certain isolation from nature. The men feel as if fate (the seven mad gods) controls their destinies. Their thoughts are given: If I am going to be drownedwhy, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the seaIf this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this However, the men realize that there is no fate and that there is no purpose for where they are. There is also a shark that is playing around near the boat; curiously, it does not seem to even acknowledge their presence. The realization that they have no purpose brings them to the brink of despair. In the beginning of the story, the author describes the dawn of seven turned faces. These are faces of the seven mad gods who are apathetic towards the men; moreover, they are part of nature. Towards the end of the story, the correspondent recalls a childhood verse that helps him to understand natures indifference. Through their experience together, the four men realize that all they have is each other. The correspondent feels sympathy suddenly for a dying soldier, one who does not even exist, The correspondent, dreamingwas moved by a profound and perfectly impersonal comprehension. He was sorry for the soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers. Being in the current situation, the correspondent finally understands the tragedy of the dying soldier. He realizes what it is like to be alone in a cruel world and more importantly, he realizes he does not have to be alone. When he first heard the story, he was also indifferent towards the soldier, just as nature is indifferent towards the rest of the world. He now understands what it is to be human. Crane opens a view of reality that first seems bitter, but in the end, stands as testament to the human spirit. The Universe will never bend to the will of man; however, man will always have each other. When man contemplates a high cold star on a winters night, man will not feel alone, for he can always turn to another person. English Essays