Fighting Nature Essay, Research Paper
Fighting Nature
In Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat, Crane uses a personal experience that happened to him to pattern this short story after. Crane’s writing style consists of a very prominent use of naturalism. Naturalism is simply the struggle between nature and man, with nature being the most powerful force. In The Open Boat, Crane writes about a sinking boat, therefore placing his characters at nature’s mercy. The story line for The Open Boat is based on a true experience Crane had while smuggling guns to Cuba, where he found himself in a dinghy with three other men. Crane uses naturalism to personify nature and to reveal his personal feelings of overwhelming insignificance in the face of nature, and effectively uses color to symbolize their journey.
One characteristic of naturalism is the use of personification of nature. Crane humanizes nature many times throughout his story. One example of this is description of the horizon in the opening paragraph (page 859). Crane describes the horizon as almost a living breathing being by stating that it narrowed and widened, dipping and rising. This view of the horizon can be seen as a threat to the passengers. The four men envision the horizon as human-like because it has become their enemy. Later Crane describes the waves as snarling (page 859), giving the waves an animalistic persona. The characters probably felt as if the waves were going to attack and devour them. Another example of
2
Crane’s literary use of naturalism by personifying nature occurs when the men spot a group of people on the shore and Crane writes that the shore swallows the potential rescuers (page 867). Crane here is showing the power of nature, by its ability to take away the hopes of a rescue. The people on shore were the men’s only hope, and when the night swallowed them, despaired loomed.
Another quality of naturalism is the use of colors as symbolism. Crane used colors from the beginning to the end, serving as a timeline where each color represents a different phase of the journey. Crane begins the short story by stating that none of them knew the color of the sky but they all knew the color of the sea (page 858). Here Crane places emphasis on the men not paying attention to the sky, only to the sea. The boat is sinking and the men could only try to salvage their lives. Another example of color as a literary tool comes when Crane writes that the faces of the men must have been gray (page 860). The color gray is synonymous with despair and a dreary feeling of hope. The men thought at this point that they would probably die. Then the color scheme shifts to black as Crane writes that the lighthouse cast a long black shadow into the sea (page 862). Although the sight of land should be a bright ray of hope, Crane writes that it is a long dark shadow, possibly telling the reader that something bad is going to happen, fulfilled by the death of the oiler. A little later, Crane again uses black when describing the shore (page 863). First the passengers see it a black line then it becomes white. Here obviously Crane is making visible the thoughts of the men. Ordinarily black is the color
of doom, but with black turning into white, there is truly some hope of rescue for the men. Shortly after the men regain some hope of rescue, Crane again describes the sky as gray desolate east (page 865). Here the men are loosing hope of being rescued after surviving on the open seas this long. After nightfall, the men see the setting golden sun and a bluish gleem (page 868). These two lights are all that the men can see and all that they can rest their despair on. The only hope that the men have is these two lights.
The last topic of naturalism produced by Crane is the overwhelming power of nature over man. This can be seen in the theme of The Open Boat, where four characters are faced with all nature’s fury. Crane writes that after successfully surmounting one wave the crew had to face another (page 859). This alludes to the fact that when one overcomes an obstacle, nature has put another one in the way to cause a stumble. Crane saw nature as a very powerful thing, not to be overcome. Another example would be the fact that the passengers felt childish and stupid (page 860). The rough sea had toyed with their emotions. Upon seeing the lighthouse, the men had to remind themselves that they were indeed men, and had certain duties and responsibilities. The all-powerful sea had previously taken this train of thought away from them. Crane also uses seagulls to remind the men how much they are under the power of nature (page 861). The men envied the seagulls freedom of flight and their seemingly mastery of the environment.
The bird’s effortless flight also reminded the crew of a lost sense of comfort. Later in the story, Crane vents his frustration about the power of nature and his lack of trust in God
when he writes, why in the name of the seven mad gods, would they let me come this far only to drown (page 864). Once again Crane is recognizing the fact that he is only a man in natures cruel and cold world. The correspondent does not understand why he is being kept alive and played with only to be eventually drowned at sea.
Crane depicts the life of a naturalist to perfection in The Open Boat. He is incredibly inferior to nature. He portrays nature’s indifference to insignificant human beings by strong and clear words. For sure Crane felt that nature was against him, due to his own misadventure at sea. The men on the dinghy all worked together as a team to defeat nature. They all shared the work, and supported each other to the end. With nature taunting them, it is amazing that only one passenger died and that the rest survived to see another day. Crane masterfully uses the literary device of naturalism to its fullest by personifying nature, using color to symbolize the crews journey, and including his own insignificance in the face of nature.
Другие работы по теме:
Beo Wulf Essay Research Paper Summary of
Beo Wulf Essay, Research Paper Summary of Beowulf’s Journey to Heroism!! 1.) Beowulf hears about the on going problems with Grendel, and sets out that very night with the best of his men to come and defeat the one known as Grendel.
Romantics Vs Realists Essay Research Paper Views
Romantics Vs Realists Essay, Research Paper Views of Nature Romantics verse Realists and Naturalists have different views of nature. In this essay I will portray how Romantics see nature, and then how Realists and Naturalists together see nature. It will show how Romantics had a deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature.
Killer Angels 3 Essay Research Paper This
Killer Angels 3 Essay, Research Paper This is an outstanding book about the Battle of Gettysburg, even though it is fictional. The Killer Angels The Battle of Gettysburg brought the fighting North and South together to the small town of Gettysburg and on the edge of splitting the Union. Gettysburg could closely be compared to Judgement Day and this book gives a day-to-day account of the battle that made America s future.
Knights Essay Research Paper Knights were professional
Knights Essay, Research Paper Knights were professional soldiers, They had the best weapons, and they rode on the best horses. Most knights went around looking for work, to fight, they liked to fight. Sometimes when a war would be about to happen, the country would need all the knights they could get. By the 11th century, knights were getting nobler, and they were getting better all the time.
Talk Shows Essay Research Paper Talk shows 2
Talk Shows Essay, Research Paper Talk shows affect society in a negative way by choosing dead end topics. Jerry Springer for example his producers pick topics such as ” I Cheated on You,” those kind of topics allows the American public to think that cheating is okay. Broadcasting topics like cheating, which aren’t positive create negative results.
Better Schools Essay Research Paper Imagine better
Better Schools Essay, Research Paper Imagine better schools safer campus bigger libraries better teachers and a better education. Imagine a place where learning will be a fun and pleasant experience once again. I have been fighting for reform in the Los Angles school system for the last 27 years, to bring better technologies to our children, to our future, to the future of America.
Themes Of The Book
” Eaters Of The Dead” Essay, Research Paper My book is titled ?Eaters of the Dead? by Michael Crichton. There are two major themes to this book. First is man versus man and the second is man versus nature. The nature that man is going up against in this book were the supernatural monsters that terrorized the town.
Enders Game Essay Research Paper The force
Enders Game Essay, Research Paper The force and empathy are both representations of the power the main characters, Luke and Ender, use to defeat their enemy. The force helps Luke to stay focused and maintain poise when fighting his enemy. Enders ability of using empathy helps him to understand his enemy better and allows him to make decisions based on how the enemy would act on them.
Achilles And The Honor Code Essay Research
Paper Achilles is a tragic figure who believes strongly in social order, but questions the idea of fighting for glory. When Aias and Odysseus are sent by Agamemnon to plead with Achilles’ to fight for the Greeks, Achilles denies them, saying “There was no gratitude given for fighting incessantly forever against your enemies.
Freedom Essay Research Paper English 9
Freedom Essay, Research Paper English 9 – 2January 11 , 1999 What Freedom Means to Me When I think of freedom I think of courage. In order for us to receivefreedom our country has gone through a great deal of courageous fighting towin the battles that most of us take for granted. If our forefathers hadn’tfought we might live in a world where there was a ruler, and we would not beallowed to make up our own minds.
The Hutu And Tutsi Tribes In Rwanda
Essay, Research Paper The Hutu and Tutsi Tribes In Rwanda The Hutu and Tutsi’s tribes of Rwanda have been at war for centuries. The fighting began 5 centuries ago when the Tutsi a warrior tribe of Hamatic
Cukoo Essay Research Paper McMurphyMcMurphy 35 years
Cukoo Essay, Research Paper McMurphy McMurphy, 35 years old, plays the role of a mental patient. He was brought into the ward because he pretended to be crazy and everybody believed him. McMurphy was arrested for assault (fighting in bars), drunkenness, disturbing the peace, repeated gambling, and statutory rape.
Sir Lanval Essay Research Paper Intro paragraph
Sir Lanval Essay, Research Paper Intro paragraph: A warrior is a person that values his country and will protect it at all costs. He is brave and valient and does not care whether he dies in battle just as long as he’s fighting for his country and for a good cause. Sometimes warriors sacrifice their beliefs in the case of love or religion.
Athena Essay Research Paper Athena the goddess
Athena Essay, Research Paper Athena the goddess of wisdom, war, and useful arts, and the helper of heroes and inspiration for soldiers. She was the daughter of Zeus and the protector of cities and states. She was never easy to anger, she believed using wisdom was better to settle differences than fighting.
Bruce Lee Essay Research Paper
“Ticallion Stallion” October 10, 1996 English, 9th Grade Final Bruce Lee This essay is dedicated to Bruce Lee, without a doubt the most famous, skilled, and
Hector Vs Achilles Essay Research Paper Two
Hector Vs. Achilles Essay, Research Paper Two of the main characters in the Iliad are Achilles and Hector. Other than being great warriors, they have little in common. There are fundamental differences in their character. Hector, a great leader and family man is a protector of the people. Achilles, on the other hand is self-centered warrior, his motivation for fighting is for glory and remembrance.
Beowulf Essay Research Paper In the epic
Beowulf Essay, Research Paper In the epic Beowulf, the poet shows that the conflict between good and evil is never ending. This is displayed is Strophe 12. The conflict between good and evil is seen in the setting, plot and characterization of the strophe.
Ali Essay Research Paper Much of the
Ali Essay, Research Paper Much of the footage, particularly shots of Ali ingratiating himself with the natives and Foreman stepping off a plane accompanied by German shepherds, helps fill in the historical background of the fight. “Ali was loved by the Zaireans,” Gast says, “because they felt he was fighting for them.
The Iliad And Song Of Roland Essay
, Research Paper The Iliad and Song of Roland: Attitudes Toward War The Iliad by Homer and Song of Roland are two enjoyable novels that both deal with the basic nature of war. They are set in different eras of history, but they both manage to depict the image of war and conquest very well. With that said, they do indeed share obvious plot characteristics.
Ivanhoe Essay Research Paper In any novel
Ivanhoe Essay, Research Paper In any novel, I enjoy the fighting scenes. The fighting scenes are usually the climax of the story. Therefore, the strengths in Ivanhoe would be the fighting. The first instance would be at the tournament. The tournament is an extremely important point of the story. At the tournament, Rebecca, Athelstane, and Waldemar Fitzurse are all introduced into the novel.
How Does Seamus Heaney Write About Nature
, Compared With At Least One Pre-1900 Poet Essay, Research Paper Heaney addresses many aspects of naturein his writing. In the poems that I have read, he encounters such things as man?s relationship with nature,
Revolutionary War Paper Essay Research Paper During
Revolutionary War Paper Essay, Research Paper During the Revolutionary war George Washington gathered up all the troops that he could. Many people didn’t have time to be part of the Continental Army because they had families and farms to tend to, most of the men willing to enlist for long periods of time were young and single and had nothing tying them down.
Star Trek Frist Contact Essay Research Paper
Star Trek: First Contact Space! The final frontier, as many Star Trek stories go. This newest Star Trek movie incorporates two story lines. Half the crew fighting their enemy on the star ship Enterprise and the other half on earth. The time they are fighting the Borg is also important since the Borg went back in time to stop the Earthlings from making first contact.
The Last Frontier Essay Research Paper
The movie The Red Balloon showed how society can be very hard. In nature, living is much simpler than in the city but yet it still has it?s difficulties. Alaska is a good example of somewhere. Your mind doesn?t have to worry about the troubles of taking care of the balloon. When jealousy attacks like dogs fighting over a bone you need to escape to a retreat to let it all go.
Al Gore Essay Research Paper Candidate for
Al Gore Essay, Research Paper Candidate for President Al Gore (democrat) After serving the U.S. Army in the Vietamn War, Al Gore became a reporter for a Nashville newspaper. He then attended Vanderbilt law school and was elected to the House of Representatives for eight years and was soon elected to the U.S.
Ivanhoe Strengths Essay Research Paper The greatest
Ivanhoe Strengths Essay, Research Paper The greatest strengths of Ivanhoe were the themes of the novel. All the characters in Ivanhoe were in some way affected by the major theme of the hatred between the
Rumble Fish Essay Research Paper Rumble Fish
Rumble Fish Essay, Research Paper Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton Rumble Fish, by S.E. Hinton is the sequel to The Outsiders. The characters names are different, but it is still taken place in the same time period. In the story Rumble Fish, Rusty James is a greaser who has a lot of fights in and out of school. He meets up with the Motorcycle Boy and whenever Rusty is in a big situation or fight, the Motorcycle Boy always helps him out.
There Are Three Ways That Remo And
Juilet Are The Same And Three Ways There Are Essay, Research Paper differnt.One way is the groups that they are divied into.Another way there are the same is both of the main charters fall in love.The third way they are the same is the fighting.The three was they are differnt are maria didnt die Juilet did, borth place,and the setting.
What Price Freedom Essay Research Paper How
What Price Freedom Essay, Research Paper How hard would you fight to defend something you believed in? Hundreds, thousands, probably million of lives were lost fighting for what they believed in; fighting to defend America. Why, are you thinking? What could have been so important that these men felt they had to fight until the end? Would you believe that those men fought for you, me and the rest of the population.
The Bargain Ox Essay Research Paper CONFLICTTHE
The Bargain Ox Essay, Research Paper CONFLICT-THE BARGAIN OX The type of conflict in this story is Man vs. Man. The father is fighting against Cramer to grow the biggest pumpkin. The author sets this conflict up
War War War Essay Research Paper
Dear Christine, This cursed war has separated me from you. I can not go through a day without thinking of you And the moments we shared with each other. Through the restless nights