The Open Boat by Stephen Crane - Research Paper Example

The Open Boat Introduction The short story The Open Boat is based on the accounts of the Stephen Crane, on his experience during the capsizing of the SS Commodore after colliding with a sandbar, which resulted in him navigating to land using a small boat. The story revolves around four survivors who are left drifting in the middle of the sea due to the capsizing of their ship. This exposes the men to numerous hardships, which resulted in the survivors facing physical and emotional strains (Crane 1). The characters are seen to contend with anger and desperation among other negative emotions that were brought about by the tough conditions in the open sea coupled with the condition of their insufficient vessel transporting them to safety (VOA 1). During their ordeal, the survivors realize that nature is not influenced by the situation that an individual is facing, since it is indifferent to the human fortune. This resulted in the magnification of the human quality of empathy, with the survivors relating to the ill fortune of their companions in the perilous ordeal. During the survival journey, fatigue starts taking its toll on the survivors leading to infighting among the group. The survivors work in unison to better their chances of survival against the unforgiving forces of nature experienced in the open sea (Cuitzon 1). This is seen with the oiler and writer who were among the strongest survivors in the group and took the responsibility of rowing the vessel in turns. The cook, on the other hand, ensured that the vessel was kept free from water by bailing it to make certain that their vessel does not sink. When the group sights a lighthouse at a distance, they become optimistic that they will survive. They, however, become concerned with the perils that they will encounter in attempting to reach it. After their fruitless pursuit to reach safety, the survivors come to consensus to abandon the boat and swim to safety. This ends up with the demise of one of the characters while three manage to reach the safety of land where they are received by rescuers. The story depicts the never-ending conflict between humans and nature which shows that harmony between nature and humans is nonexistent. Nature and Humanity In the story, the survivors are in a precarious situation at sea at the mercy of the forces of nature. Despite the characters being isolated from the civilization due to the shipwreck, nature does not give them any preferential treatment and is indifferent to their predicament. The survivors end up fighting the forces of nature to ensure their survival. The testing conditions that resulted from the forces of nature make the survivors believe that the turbulent conditions that they were encountering at sea were a deliberate act by nature against them. This fact is evident in the story when the writer questions the relationship of humans and nature and comes into consensus that nature is neither cruel nor beneficent to humans, but indifferent to the human fortunes. In the story, the survivors seemed to retract their previous view that nature is hostile to humans claiming it is rather ambivalent. However, it is evident that the notion that humans can coexist in harmony is nothing but a mirage (Cuitzon 1). This is because the human destiny is determined by nature and vice versa. The story shows that nature has the power to influence human existence. There is, however, no evidence in the story showing that human beings can influence nature. Nature is seen to be autonomous, and its existence is not altered by human predicament or fortune. It is oblivious of what the humans are facing, and this is seen when the survivors in the story are subjected to harsh weather conditions despite being stranded at sea. Nature seemed unsympathetic to their position, instead behaving indifferently to the scenario. If nature were harmonious with human existence, it will have made it easier for the survivors to float to safety. It, however, made the ordeal of the survivors more perilous resulting in the demise of one of the survivors. If nature were in harmony with humans, the quest for safety for the survivors would have been made smoother through nature’s intervention in providing conditions that are suitable for the stranded bunch. This would be in the form of calmer seas, favorable windy conditions to steer them towards land. In the isolation of the characters in the story, there is also emergence of metaphysical conflicts. The writer seems to question the role of God in the adversity; the survivors did not see any help being extended from the supernatural. This is because it reached a point where the survivors felt as if they cannot depend on the religion for support during the torrid time. The desperation that was experienced by the survivors during their ordeal made them doubt that religious support exists for people who are facing predicaments. This is because, throughout the story, there was no visible evidence of intervention from the supernatural to alleviate the suffering endured by the survivors in the perilous waters, as well as the uncertainty they faced concerning their survival. This viewpoint also goes to show the disharmony that exists in the relationship between humans and nature. In the story, in the face of adversity the survival of the characters was facilitated through their solidarity and empathy towards each other. The survivors put aside their differences to ensure that they survive the ordeal. Despite their isolation from society, the characters found solace in the company of each other. The predicament strengthened their bond that cut through their differences. This is evident with the survivors behavior while on the boat, with different individuals working together to ensure that they reach safety. The individuals in this situation do not rely in nature in any way, but discover that the only approach they can endure the ordeal is through solidarity. Nature is only seen to make their condition more perilous lessening their chances of surviving the ordeal. The story reaffirms the notion that nature and humans do not exist in harmony; nature does not appear to have any relationship with the human quest to survive (Cuitzon 1). Conclusion The story The Open Boat depicts human adversity, and how nature influences such a situation. The stranded survivors are seen struggling with nature to ensure their survival. The ordeal becomes testing for the survivors that they cannot help wonder if nature is their enemy or not. The characters soon discover that only solidarity can improve their chances of survival against their ordeal and the onslaught of nature. In the story, even supernatural intervention does not seem to come to the aid of the survivors raising doubts of the existence of help from God. These incidences in the story prove the point that nature and humans cannot coexist in harmony, and that nature is indifferent to human fortunes. Work Cited Crane, Stephen. “The Open Boat and Other Tales of Adventure”. MobileReference.com, 2010. Web. Cuitzon, Gwen. “Nature as depicted in open boat by Stephen Crane”. Bukisa.com, 2008. Web. http://www.bukisa.com/articles/16297_nature-as-depicted-in-open-boat-by-stephen-crane “Short Story: ‘The open Boat’ by Stephen Crane (part 1)”. VOA. 2012. Web. http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/short-story-the-open-boat-part-one-by-stephen-crane-119490904/114366.html Read More