The Open Boat Naturalism Analysis

Running Head: A brief analysis of the use of naturalism in The Open Boat

Li 2

A brief analysis of the use of naturalism in The Open Boat

Naturalism in The Open Boat

William Li

Shenzhen Middle School

Naturalism in The Open Boat Before analyzing The Open Boat, I would like to clarify the definition of naturalism. Naturalism is a new type of realism, or we can say it?s the extreme version of realism. Naturalism in literature sometime depicts the relationship between individual and nature, focusing on the characters in their environment (Yusriana). So the works of naturalism always convey an opinion that environment can shape human but human beings have nothing to do with the indifferent circumstance. And the characters

Crane?s description in the opening scene shows the right away the antagonism of the men and the sea and nature's lack of concern for their tragedy, for example, as Crane writes, ?The birds sat comfortably in groups, and they were envied by some in the dingey, for the wrath of the sea was no more to them than it was to a covey of prairie chickens a thousand miles inland (1002).? The four characters are in a desperate situation, but the nature continues in its ways regardless of what might happen to them (Voegele). And this perfectly reveals the nature of naturalism, which indicates that the nature is unchangeable and

The correspondent, who is actually Crane himself, could be regarded as the major protagonist, because the inner description of him is exceptional and he is the only character who has inner change. In my opinion, he was cynical at the very beginning, and this characteristic probably due to his vocation, which makes him see many desperate things and the negative face of the society. Thus, he does not have any expectation on the probability of surviving. However, another three characters are relatively positive compare to the correspondent. The captain, although despondent and weak, still persist to execute his duty, to make sure the boat is working well and moving in the correct direction, as a captain. The oiler, without any complain, just works hard to row the little boat. And the cook, who is the most optimistic, always brings hope to them, even though the correspondent refutes his optimism every time. With several days of supporting each other, and since they have seen the shadow of the shore, they become more collaborative and persistent. And the correspondent changes his mind. He is no longer cynical but considers the value of the whole group. Therefore, besides naturalism, the story also conveys another key of life: