Symbolism and Devices in Stephen Cranes The Open Boat Essay examples -

An Examination of Symbolism and Devices in The commit gravy boat The struggle for survival by world can be effectuate in many different settings. It can be seen on a battlefield, a hospital room or at sea as related in The Open Boat, written in 1897 by Stephen Crane. The novel is based on his actual experiences when he survived the sinking of the SS Commodore take the coast of Florida in early 1897. The Open Boat is Stephen Cranes account of life and death at sea told through the theatrical role of themes and devices to emphasize the indifference of nature to mans struggles and the development of mankinds compassion. The storys theme is related to the reader by the use of color imagery, cynicism, human brotherhood, and the prankish beauty and savagery of nature. The symbols employ to impart this theme to the reader and range from the obvious to the subtle. The obvious symbols embroil the time from the sinking to arrival on shore as a voyage of self-discovery, the four survivors in the dinghy as a microcosm of society, the chisel as natures random destroyer of life, the sky personified as mysterious and unfathomable and the sea as mundane and easily compass by universe. The more subtle symbols include the cigars as representative of the lot and survivors, the oiler as the required sacrifice to natures indifference, and the destruction legionnaire as an example of how to face death for the correspondent. The opening dissever of the story emphasizes the limitations of the individuals vision of nature. From the beginning, the four characters in the unconsolable do not get laid the colors of the sky, but all of them know the colors of the sea. This opening strongly suggests the symbolic situations in which average peo... ...and an evenly indifferent relationship between humans. These styles are blended in the story by Cranes varied role of Nature and humans throughout the story and the use of symbols and different imagery. The theme of th is story is in reality stated in the story if it is read carefully and Crane reinforces it unlimited times. The theme of the story is mans role in nature and is related to the reader through the use of color imagery, cynicism, human brotherhood, and the terrible beauty and savagery of nature. The story presents the idea that every human faces a voyage throughout life and must transition from ignorance to comprehension of mankinds place in the universe and among other humans. Works Cited Crane, Stephen. The Open Boat. Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 6th ed. Vol. C. New York Norton, 2003.