Nature is very beneficial to humankind even though at times it is the cause of human sufferings as well as death. In the story “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane, the main message that he conveys to the readers is that nature is indifferent to the s...Read More
~Posted on
Apr 2020
Nature is very beneficial to humankind even
though at times it is the cause of human sufferings as well as death. In the
story “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane, the main message that he conveys to the
readers is that nature is indifferent to the sufferings that are faced by women
(Crane).
Crane makes apparent that nature is
indifferent to the predicaments of man having no conscious that we are able to
comprehend. In the story, as the stranded man progress, the realism of nature’s
lack of concern towards them becomes clearer. The narrator brings to light this
development by altering the manner in which he describes the sea. In the story,
the sea snarls and hisses while it simply paces to and for without considering
man. In truth, the sea, which is a representation of nature never changes, and
it is only the perception of men towards the sea that changes. The unchanged
activity of the clouds and tides is an illustration that nature does not behave
indifferently in light of the struggle by men to survive.
The idea of nature’s indifference to man is
further strengthened in the story by showing that it is indiscriminately
beneficial as it is hurtful. In each malevolent whim that men suffers, they
also experience an unanticipated good turn through calm night or favorable
weather. The fact that men nearly appears to receive help from nature
devastates the idea of nature as an totally hostile force. This point is
highlighted by the correspondent’s ultimate rescue. By being plowed to the
shore as well as saved by a freak wave, the fact that the same thing that has
placed the correspondent in danger is the one that saves him is mesmerizing.
In conclusion, the turn of events represented by Crane in the story demonstrates two notions; that nature is a brutal punisher and also a benefactor. The second notion is that nature does not act from any motivation that can be comprehended in human terms. Nature is therefore indifferent to the sufferings experienced by human beings.
