The Open Boat Group

Question:

babyunger
babyunger
Student
College - Senior

Why does Crane deliberately place the men in sight of land in the story?

What does the serenity of the scene on land emphasize about their situation and about humanity's relation to nature?

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Posted by babyunger on Tuesday March 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM and tagged with situation, the open boat.

Answers:


  1. engtchr5 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    The dilemmas faced by the men on the boat all have to do with Crane's firm belief in fate. He illustrates the conflict between Man and Nature in the presence of the stormy, rough seas. The men are placed within eyeshot of the land to create suspense and conflict, among other things.

    The serenity of the land represents promise; that is, the promise that, if the men were able to reach it, they could achieve a sense of peace. What's more, Crane keeps the reader wondering just exactly what will happen next by providing this sense of hope, as represented by the land.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/open-boat/

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    Posted by engtchr5 on Wednesday March 4, 2009 at 3:21 AM