Dec 27, 2009

The Open Boat | Critical Overview

‘‘The Open Boat’’ is widely considered to be a technical masterpiece of the modern short story. As far as artistry is concerned, the story's excellence in realism and dramatic execution have never been questioned. As Bettina Kapp wrote in Stephen Crane, ‘‘Crane's sensual images of man struggling against the sea remain vivid long after the reading of ‘The Open Boat.’ The salt spray and deafening roar of the waves pounding against the dinghy can almost be tasted and heard.’’ Many critics have dissected the technical aspects of this story’s Realism and plot...