The Open Boat by Stephen Crane is a short story with an opening that prepares the reader for the ending. The elements of a short story include how the author will present the opening paragraphs allowing the reader to make inferences about the end. Using elements of style and imagery, Crane effectively foreshadows the end of the story within the first few paragraphs. At the beginning of The Open Boat, the reader is introduced to a cast of characters who have been involved in a shipwreck and are now forced to paddle their way to safety. Crane creates a sense of urgency in the beginning by describing an oar that is close to snapping and a wounded captain. This foreshadows that the crew has to reach salvation quickly and effectively if they