Open Boat Essay, Research Paper
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 Nature’s 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 nature’s 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 nature’s 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 drowned…why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea…If 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 nature’s 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, …dreaming…was 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 winter’s night,” man will not feel alone, for he can always turn to another person.
Другие работы по теме:
How Does The Moon Control The Sea
Essay, Research Paper Symbolism is one of the most important techniques in literature; it helps the reader to understand and visualize what the author is trying to convey. In the novel Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolofo Anaya symbolism runs rampant, the sea and the moon represent the conflicting sources pulling apart a young boy approaching the reaching the age of reason.
A Recipe For Wakeboarding Essay Research Paper
A Recipe for Wakeboarding The first step to getting up on a wakeboard is to change into your swimming suit. The second step is to go down to the dock and take the boat off of the boatlift. Once the boat is in the water, softly turn the key until the engine fires up. Now that the boat is warm, we are ready to put on our wakeboard.
Self Esteem Essay Research Paper I compare
Self Esteem Essay, Research Paper I compare my face to the most beautiful girl in the school. I compare my personality to the sweetest girl in the school. I compare my socialization rate to the most popular girl in the school.
Titanic The Unsinkable Essay Research Paper The
Titanic The Unsinkable Essay, Research Paper The Titanic was and still is considered one of the biggest disasters of the century. The ship that was proclaimed to be “unsinkable” proved that
Symbolic Bovine Essay Research Paper Although often
Symbolic Bovine Essay, Research Paper Although often considered a realistic novel, Gustave Flaubert sprinkles Madame Bovary with symbolism essential to his message. While doing so he also depicts the desperate situation of many 19th century women and the various reasons for their predicament. The main character, Madame Emma Bovary, is a hopeless romantic continually in search of a love she will never find.
My Antonia Essay Research Paper 2
My Antonia Essay, Research Paper "My Antonia," by Willa Cather has many symbols through out the novel. Symbolism reflects her own views as a child through her life. Some of these
Fighting Nature Essay Research Paper Fighting NatureIn
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.
Stephen Crane
’s “The Open Book”: Determinism, Objectivity, And Pessimism Essay, Research Paper Stephen Crane’s “The Open Book”: Determinism, Objectivity, and Pessimism
Symbolism The Chrysanthemums Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism- The Chrysanthemums Essay, Research Paper Symbolism- “The Chrysanthemums John Steinbecks’ “The Chrysanthemums” is a story that utilizes symbolism on many levels. Most of all, I believe in the character of Elisa Adams. Elisa and her garden seem to be considered one. Because of all of her hard labor and love the Chrysanthemums flourish.
English 101 Essay Research Paper In comparing
English 101 Essay, Research Paper In comparing and contrasting the stories ?Worn Path? and ?Young GoodMann Brown?. Several things come to mind . We see that both authors use a lot of symbolism
Glass Menagerie 2
Glass Menagerie – Symbolism Of The Unicorn Essay, Research Paper The symbolism of the unicorn has two very different meanings. One of the symbols is happiness and love. The other one symbols sadness and hatred. You first come into contact with the unicorn when Jim sees it. This is where the first symbolism comes into place.
Sex Essay Research Paper One of the
Sex Essay, Research Paper One of the most destructive elements of the German Kriegsmarine is the U-Boat arm. Brought together by master tactician Karl Donitz, the U-Boat arm is going to be one of the German Military that would scare the crap out of the Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Deonitz is the U-Boat commander in our first world war.
The 13th Chapter Essay Research Paper The
The 13th Chapter Essay, Research Paper The 13th Chapter The boat had the island with all the kids except the deceased. On the boat ride home there was very little coversation on the boat except for the officers
RealismNaturalism Essay Research Paper RealismNaturalism
Realism-Naturalism Essay, Research Paper Realism-Naturalism Brian Robinson From the Yukon trail to the ocean realism and naturalism writers, like Stephen Crane and Jack London, explore the many trials of man and nature. Stephen Crane is famous for his story “The Open Boat”. The story involves a crew made up of 3 sailors and is about their struggle to find help during a storm at sea.
Elian Gonzalez Essay Research Paper Elian GonzalezA
Elian Gonzalez Essay, Research Paper Elian Gonzalez A young Cuban boy, named Elian Gonzalez, boarded a small boat with his mother and twelve other passengers. On their journey to America, rough seas occurred and their boat began to sink. Elian was placed on a tube to avoid the sinkage, while his mother and stepfather drowned and many other passengers.
All About Style Essay Research Paper Regina
All About Style Essay, Research Paper Regina Kerbs October 20, 1999 M/W 8:30 – 9:50 All About Style Every writer illustrates a certain style in his/her work. Kate Chopin uses the same style in her short stories “The Story of an Hour” and “Ripe Figs.” This style includes her use of diction, imagery, and symbolism.
Open Campus Essay Research Paper Open campus
Open Campus Essay, Research Paper Open campus is something every student dreams of. I had the experience to be in a highscool with open campus. The open campus, allows us to walk around the schoolarea. It includes bigger breaktime. We young teenager are not put in prison anymore. There are no more hallpasses.
Symbolism In Hamlet Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism In Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Symbolism in Hamlet Though not much has been written on symbolism in Shakespeare?s Hamlet, there is some there. The first symbol is found in the very first scene of the play. The changing of the guards can be a symbol of the new King in Denmark. Just as the guards are changing, so is the royal throne.
Sea Wolf Essay Research Paper Sea WolfWolf
Sea Wolf Essay, Research Paper Sea Wolf Wolf Larsen was a character in the book who never made it all the way through the book, but he tried very hard. He was a very strong, brutal man
Symbolism Joy Luck Essay Research Paper Symbolism
Symbolism Joy Luck Essay, Research Paper Symbolism of The Joy Luck Club and The Zoo Story There are numerous conditions in human life that mold people into who they presently are. A person’s identity and way of thinking are influenced greatly due to their surroundings, and relationships they are involved in.
Dickens Biography Essay Research Paper In the
Dickens Biography Essay, Research Paper In the Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, symbolism in used to portray the themes though out the book. Through his characters and their actions as well as their
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay Research Paper Hawthorne
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Hawthorne and Symbolism Symbolism is a key in all or most writings. Symbolism is what the reader needs in order to use his imagination. In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, through different symbolism, Hawthorne writes about a man who in his coming of age.
Symbolism Essay Research Paper I have
Symbolism Essay, Research Paper : I have never understood the purpose of digging about for symbolism in and author’s work, and comparing the symbolism in 2
Much Symbolism Essay Research Paper Nature
Much Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Nature’s Symbolism Much symbolism is used in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The nature on the island is used as the primary source of symbolism. There are three main uses of nature’s symbolism: a pink conch shell, a pig’s head, and fire. Nature is a symbol that parallels to the real world.
Tyhe Open Boat Essay Research Paper The
Tyhe Open Boat Essay, Research Paper The Open Boat By Stephen Crane ?The Open Boat? is a story of four men who drift across a January sea in an open boat, since they lost their ship some time after dawn. The main conflict in this story is man versus nature, in this case the raging sea. Stephen Crane gives a description of two days spent on a ten-foot dinghy by four men a cook,
Symbolism Essay Research Paper In the novel
Symbolism Essay, Research Paper In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, symbolism is the key literary device. Symbolism is when one thing stands for another. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This is because mockingbirds do not harm anything, they just sing to you. The mockingbird symbolized both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.
Scarletletter Symbolism Essay Research Paper The Scarlet
Scarletletter Symbolism Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many things for symbolism and in my opinion the most symbolic were the scaffold scenes. There are a total of three scaffold scenes and each has its own purpose and meaning. Without the scaffold scenes this book would basically leave you clueless to what was really going on because the scaffold scenes really tell you what is going on and why.
A Farewell To Arms Essay Research Paper 2
A Farewell To Arms- Essay, Research Paper A Farewell to Arms- The book A Farewell to Arms, written by Ernest Hemingway, is a classic about the love story of a nurse and a war ridden soldier. The story
Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper The poem
Dream Deferred Essay, Research Paper The poem, “Dream Deferred”, which was written by Langston Hughes in 1951 , described the trials that minorities in that time period underwent. Hughes uses heavy symbolism and imagery in this poem. The dream he discussed in the poem was futile at the time of his writing of the poem.
The Open Boat Essay Research Paper The
The Open Boat Essay, Research Paper The Open Boat by Stephen Crane ?The Open Boat? Four men drift across a January sea in an open boat, since they lost their ship some time after dawn. Now, in the clear light of day, the men begin to grasp the full gravity of their situation. Realizing that their main conflict will be man versus nature, in this case, the raging sea.