Existentialism, naturalism, symbolism and irony in the open Boat
Existentialism in The Open Boat
A philosophical theory or approach which emphasises the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.
Existentialism is a movement in philosophy and literature that emphasises individual existence, freedom and choice. … It is based on the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.
Eg: Friedrich Nietzsche, John Paul Sartre
Concepts of man and his struggles in life which pits him against nature.(being and nothingness)
No matter how much you try to achieve in life, everything is ultimately nullified
The story has a couple of survivors who are struggling against the death dealing sea. The forces of nature are relentless and unforgiving and emphasises the puny efforts of humans who try to fight against its mighty onslaught.
The impersonal forces of nature are totally beyond human control and there is a pervasive sense of the indifference of the universe itself and its dealings with human life.
Set against this background, the narrative indicates fear, spiritual crisis and social isolation.
The fate of the human beings appear to be predetermined, which is in complete contrast to the idea of free will as if the fate of the men in the boat has already been decided by the unforgiving sea.
There is a remarkable presence of ennui – indicating despair, weariness, seeking absolution in death.
Naturalism in The Open Boat
The story portrays a naturalistic view of man with the depiction of a a group of survivors adrift in a boat in the open sea.
Emphasises man’s insignificance in the Universe.
Emphasis is through observation and scientific method in the fictional portrayal of reality
The technique used by the author is literary naturalism.
The humans with their creation (the open boat) confront the sea and the world of nature and realises the universe’s indifference
Symbolism
The symbolism reflected is about the helplessness of man and his constant struggle of nature
Examine the narrative perspective of the “Open Boat”. How does it unfold the dangers of the sea?
How does Stephen Crane use Naturalism in “The Open Boat? Discuss with appropriate illustrations from the text.
prepIGCSE 