Naturalism and Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat"

Naturalism is frequently cited as one of the dominant literary movements of 19th century America. Naturalism aimed at a detached, scientific objective portrayal of a natural self controlled by instincts and ruled by passion. Since a self was not perceived to have free will, naturalism debunked moral judgment. Historically, naturalism is perceived to have been more inclusive but also less selective than realism (Hart 525). Naturalism was boxed-in by a determinism established by Darwinian theory and Marxist economics. The compelling writings of Stephen Crane which celebrate a fierce self battling against the harsh elements of its environment offer a striking example of American naturalism. In Crane's often anthologized short story "The Open Boat", the careful reader can detect Crane's careful mixing of naturalist elements which results in one of the most powerful American tales ever told.

Beginning with its compelling and often cited opening line, "None of them knew the color of the sky" (Lauter 715), "The Open Boat" functions as a tour de force. None of the four men bobbing helplessly about the ocean know the color of the sky because they are so intent on survival. Crane immediately sets the tone for this harsh tale by suggesting that there can be no room for a tourist's observation or aesthetic appreciation when one is battling for one's life. Crane indicates that he has lifted his tale from actual facts. In attempti

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to their plight. The section begins with the captain observing that "there don't seem to be any signs of life about your house of refuge" (Lauter 720). The cook has contended that they will be saved by people on the shore who will spy them, understand that they are in danger, and arrange a rescue party to save them. Crane intensifies the futility of the men's hopes that the world will present itself as a benevolent place when he wryly observes that "there was not a life-saving station within twenty miles in either direction" (Lauter 720). Crane reveals to his readers what these four men themselves do not know. Crane seems to be suggesting that part of life's cruelty is that we hope for things that are not possible and believe in things that are not actually there. Set adrift in the midst of the wide open sea, the men keep lamenting that they are not observed from shore. The men passionately observe the activities of the people on shore. It is as if Crane is suggesting that if they return to the shore they will be once more amidst civilization and free from menacing nature. Yet as a "yellow tone" spreads across the sky, the men begin to shiver (Lauter 723). As a naturalist tale, the men are never quite free from the mena
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Approximate Word count = 1768
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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