Naturalism Vs. Realism: Analyzing "The Open Boat

Stephen Crane's The Open Boat is a short story that explores the philosophical question of whether human beings can control their fate or if it is predetermined by their environment. It is often classified as a work of naturalism due to its pessimistic tone and portrayal of nature as an indifferent, external force beyond human control. This story is based on Crane's real-life experience of being stranded at sea, reflecting the harsh reality that nature is unconcerned with human events. The characters' struggle for survival against the forces of nature adds to the deterministic nature of the narrative, highlighting the powerlessness of humans in the face of their environment.

Nature as a powerful, indifferent force

Nature is a powerful, indifferent force in Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat". The story revolves around four shipwrecked men: the captain, the cook, the correspondent, and the oiler, who are forced to navigate their way to shore in a small boat. The men are described as "babes in the wood", highlighting their vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of nature. They are at the mercy of the unforgiving and relentless sea, portrayed as an "indifferent, flatly indifferent" force. The sea continues to batter the men with wave after wave of relentless fatigue, regardless of their exhaustion and imminent death.

The story depicts the men's struggle for survival and their attempts to withstand the forces of nature. They plead with the sea to let them pass safely, recognizing its power and their lack of control over their fate. The sea is described as a hostile and indifferent force, with the men as ants in comparison. Despite their efforts, nature remains unmoved and indifferent to their plight.

The indifference of nature is further emphasized by the absence of divine intervention or comfort. The men find no solace in religion, as nature is portrayed as a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants, with God "standing with his back to men". The universe is described as unconcerned, leaving the men to depend solely on their own resources and each other for survival.

The power of nature is also reflected in the death of the oiler, the strongest and most capable seaman. Despite his physical strength and determination to survive, the oiler ultimately drowns, highlighting the randomness and indifference of nature. The survival of the other men is attributed more to chance and uncontrollable forces than their own efforts.

Crane's portrayal of nature as an indifferent and uncaring force is a key characteristic of naturalism. "The Open Boat" is considered a pioneering work of naturalism due to its depiction of humans confronting nature's indifference and the illusion of a higher power. The story captures the sensations and emotions of the struggle for survival, providing a vivid and objective description of the characters' psychological state.

Determinism vs free will

Naturalism is a literary movement that coincided with realism during the post-Civil War period until around 1910 or 1920. It is considered an extreme form of realism, focusing on the dregs of society rather than the middle class. It is also more concerned with urbanized environments.

One of the most prominent figures of the naturalist movement is Stephen Crane, whose works include "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" and "The Blue Hotel". Crane's short story "The Open Boat" is considered a perfect piece to examine the naturalistic mode of writing.

Now, onto the topic of determinism vs free will.

The free will vs determinism debate revolves around the question of whether our behaviour results from forces beyond our control, or if we can decide how to act or behave.

Determinism proposes that all behaviour has a cause and is thus predictable. According to this view, free will is an illusion, and our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces that we cannot control.

External (environmental) determinism sees the cause of behaviour as outside the individual, such as parental influence, the media, or school. On the other hand, internal determinism is adopted by those who take a biological perspective, arguing that factors such as sociobiology and genetic inheritance determine behaviour.

Hard determinism, a subset of determinism, believes that free will is an illusion and that every event and action has a cause. B.F. Skinner, a well-known behaviourist, is a strong proponent of this view. In contrast, soft determinism represents a middle ground, suggesting that people do have a choice, but that choice is constrained by external or internal factors.

Free will, on the other hand, is the idea that we are able to make choices about how we act. It assumes that we are self-determined and, therefore, responsible for our actions. Humanistic psychologists such as Maslow and Rogers argue that freedom is necessary for us to become fully functional human beings.

While determinism and free will are often seen as mutually exclusive, some philosophers, known as compatibilists, argue that the two are compatible. They believe that free will is the freedom to act and that a person has free will if they can choose between two or more courses of action without physical prevention.

In conclusion, the debate between determinism and free will has important implications for our understanding of human behaviour, responsibility, and our place in the universe. While determinism suggests that our actions are predetermined by forces beyond our control, free will asserts that we have the ability to make choices and are thus responsible for our actions.

Realism vs naturalism

The terms "realism" and "naturalism" refer to different things depending on the field. In literature, realism and naturalism are similar in that they both seek to reflect the real world. However, they have different ideas about what the real world is. This is a philosophical divergence.

Realism is an artistic perspective that places emphasis on "real" subjects and forms over interpretations of the subject and form. In the mid-19th century, European artists were captivated by depicting life through a romantic lens, i.e. idealised subjects and forms. But by the middle of the century, artists had begun to approach their work from a more objective lens. Realism is typically associated with a 19th-century art style and a style of film.

Broadly speaking, realism is optimistic. Realists believe that characters and their destinies are determined by those characters' free will. In a realist text, a character may triumph over the everyday obstacles they encounter.

Naturalism, on the other hand, is a philosophical and artistic principle that places emphasis on nature over the supernatural. Naturalism has a few different definitions depending on the field. In literature, naturalism is a literary movement founded in 1880 by French novelist Émile Zola. Naturalist literature seeks to reject romantic depictions of life and instead build natural, or objectively true, depictions. Naturalism in literature is distinguished by its subject matter rather than its form.

Naturalism is broadly pessimistic. Naturalists have a deterministic mindset. Characters are products of their environments; they have no control over the systemic forces at work around them. In a naturalist text, a character may be pummeled by the everyday obstacles presented to them.

In the short story "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane, the author's writing style creates an emotional separation between the audience and the story's characters. "The Open Boat" is an example of American naturalism. Nature is indifferent to the characters' struggles and is depicted as an uncaring, indifferent force. The characters' survival is uncontrollable; it is up to fate or chance.

Collective strength

Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat" is a story of collective strength in the face of adversity. The tale follows four men—the captain, the cook, the oiler, and the correspondent—who find themselves stranded at sea after their ship sinks. Throughout their ordeal, the men display remarkable resilience, courage, and camaraderie as they battle against the unforgiving sea.

Despite their limited supplies and bleak prospects, the crew maintains a positive attitude. They offer words of encouragement to one another, reassuring each other that they will make it to shore. This mental support is coupled with physical assistance as they share the burdens of rowing, keeping the boat from capsizing, and taking turns on watch. Their shared struggle creates a strong bond between them, as they understand that their survival depends on working together.

The oiler, in particular, embodies the theme of collective strength. Described as a physically strong and hardworking man, he tirelessly rows the dinghy with dedication and persistence. However, even his advantageous attributes are no match for the relentless sea, and he ultimately drowns, highlighting the power of nature over human strength.

Crane's naturalistic writing style shines through in "The Open Boat," capturing the raw emotions and sensations of the characters' struggle for survival. The story explores the deterministic nature of naturalism, where human actions and beliefs are shaped by the indifferent forces of nature. This contrasts with the movement's counterpart, realism, which allows for some degree of free will and a focus on individual reactions to situations.

Through the collective strength and shared experiences of the four men, Crane's "The Open Boat" delves into the heart of naturalism, portraying the characters' realisation of their powerlessness in the face of nature's might.

The illusion of a higher power

Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat" is a short story that explores the themes of naturalism and realism, with a focus on the illusion of a higher power. The story is based on Crane's real-life experience of being stranded at sea for thirty hours after his ship sank off the coast of Florida. In "The Open Boat," Crane depicts the struggle of four men who find themselves in a life-threatening situation, battling against the indifferent and uncaring forces of nature.

One of the key themes of the story is the illusion of a higher power or the absence of divine intervention. As the men fight for their survival, they come to terms with the harsh reality that nature is indifferent to their plight. They realize that their fate is not controlled by a higher power but is instead determined by the random and uncontrollable forces of the natural world. This realization brings about a sense of hopelessness and cynicism, contributing to the pessimistic tone of the story.

Crane's portrayal of nature as an indifferent force is a key characteristic of naturalism. The sea is described as hostile and relentless, continuing to batter the men with wave after wave, despite their exhaustion and imminent death. The men plead with the sea for mercy, but nature remains unmoved. This portrayal of nature as uncaring and indifferent is a stark contrast to the romantic style of writing that glorified man's communion with nature.

The idea of determinism, a key aspect of naturalism, is also prevalent in "The Open Boat." The characters in the story are thwarted of their free will by external forces beyond their control. Their actions and beliefs are shaped by the natural forces that surround them, such as the unforgiving sea and the unpredictable weather. This lack of control over their own destinies further emphasizes the illusion of a higher power, as the men are left to the randomness of external forces.

The influence of Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species" is evident in Crane's work. The naturalists, skeptical of organized religion and beliefs in human free will, found inspiration in Darwin's ideas that biological and environmental forces controlled human beings. This perspective is reflected in "The Open Boat," as the characters question the existence of God and recognize the indifference of nature.

In conclusion, "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane is a powerful exploration of naturalism, with a focus on the illusion of a higher power. Through the depiction of four men struggling for survival, Crane highlights the indifference and randomness of nature, challenging the idea of divine intervention. The story's pessimistic tone and portrayal of determinism further emphasize the absence of a higher power, leaving the characters to face the harsh reality of their situation alone.

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