The Open Boat: Armand's Character And His Struggles

In Stephen Crane's short story 'The Open Boat', the correspondent is the central character and the narrator. He is a journalist on his way to Cuba to report on the Spanish-American War in 1898. Crane himself was a journalist, and the story is based on his real-life experience of surviving a shipwreck off the coast of Florida. The correspondent is presumably young and able-bodied, sharing rowing duties with the oiler. He is cynical of men but is pleasantly surprised by the brotherhood formed between the crew in the boat. He is also prone to questioning his fate and the indifference of nature.

The correspondent is cynical of men but is warmed by the brotherhood formed in the boat

In Stephen Crane's short story, 'The Open Boat', the correspondent is a journalist who is cynical of men, but his views are challenged when he and three other men are stranded at sea. The story is based on Crane's real-life experience of surviving a shipwreck off the coast of Florida.

The correspondent is one of four survivors—the others are the captain, the cook, and the oiler—who find themselves adrift in a small dinghy after their ship sinks. The correspondent is presumably young and able-bodied, as he shares rowing duties with the oiler. Despite his profession inclining him to be cynical of men, he is surprised to find his heart warmed by the "brotherhood" formed between himself and the other men in the boat.

The correspondent's cynicism is evident in his inner monologue, where he questions the indifference of nature and the gods who rule the sea, wondering if he is meant to drown. He also questions the point of his existence, asking, "why was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees?" Despite these dark thoughts, the correspondent finds solace in the camaraderie that develops between the men.

The men work together to keep the boat afloat, taking turns rowing and bailing water. They share what little food and drink they have, and the correspondent even offers his dry cigars to the others. This sense of brotherhood is especially notable given the men's diverse backgrounds and the correspondent's initial condescension towards the others. The correspondent, for instance, is described as a "condescending observer detached from the rest of the group."

Despite their efforts, the men are unable to reach the shore and are forced to spend two nights in the lifeboat, taking turns rowing and resting. They exchange addresses in case any of them should die, acknowledging the gravity of their situation.

In the end, the men resolve to abandon the dinghy and swim for shore. The correspondent is trapped by a current but eventually makes it to land with the help of a rescuer. Sadly, the oiler, the strongest swimmer, drowns after being smashed by a wave.

The correspondent's experience in the open boat transforms him, teaching him the value of human solidarity and challenging his cynical view of men.

The captain is injured and commands authority, giving directions to lead the crew to shore

In Stephen Crane's short story, "The Open Boat", the captain is injured and commands authority, giving directions to lead the crew to shore. The captain is calm and quiet, speaking mostly to give directions and lead the crew to safety. Despite his injury, he remains alert and composed, always keeping a watchful eye on the horizon.

The captain's leadership is evident from the beginning of the story, when he, along with three other men—a cook, a correspondent, and an oiler—find themselves stranded in a lifeboat after their ship sinks off the coast of Florida. Despite the challenging circumstances, the captain maintains his composure and takes charge of the situation. He gives clear and concise instructions to the other men, who follow his orders without question.

As the men face the treacherous sea, the captain's experience and knowledge become even more crucial. He navigates the lifeboat through the towering waves, directing the others to row with precision and caution. The captain's decisions are informed by his deep understanding of the sea and the potential dangers that lie ahead. He is aware of the nearby lighthouse and the possibility of a lifesaving station, but he also recognizes the danger of attempting to reach the shore in such turbulent waters.

Throughout their harrowing journey, the captain's authority and leadership never waver. He remains steadfast in the face of adversity, providing a sense of stability and reassurance to the other men. Even when they face moments of doubt and despair, the captain's calm demeanor and unwavering determination inspire the crew to keep going. He is the embodiment of resilience and courage, never losing hope even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

As the story reaches its climax, the captain's leadership becomes even more critical. He makes the difficult decision to abandon the lifeboat and attempt to swim to shore, knowing that their exhausted bodies and battered boat may not withstand the journey. With the captain's direction, the men make their final push toward safety. The captain, despite his injury, swims with strength and determination, leading the way for the others to follow.

In the end, the captain's leadership and resilience pay off. Three of the four men, including the captain himself, make it safely to shore, where they are greeted by a group of rescuers. Unfortunately, the oiler, the strongest swimmer among them, perishes in the treacherous surf. The captain's quick thinking and unwavering resolve have saved the lives of most of his crew, a testament to his leadership and strength in the face of adversity.

The cook is positive and naïve, bailing water and dreaming of food on land

The cook is one of four survivors of a shipwreck in Stephen Crane's short story, 'The Open Boat'. The story is based on Crane's own experience of surviving a shipwreck off the coast of Florida in 1896.

The cook is a cheerful, chubby man who rides in the lifeboat alongside the captain, the correspondent, and the oiler. He is responsible for bailing water out of the boat while the captain gives orders, and the correspondent and the oiler row. The cook is optimistic and naive, frequently voicing his certainty that they will be rescued, but he is always wrong. Despite his positive outlook, the cook is aware of the danger they are in, noting at one point: "Yes! If we don't catch hell in the surf."

Throughout the story, the cook's thoughts often turn to food. He is the first to suggest the presence of a lifesaving station on shore and cannot help but dream of the simple pleasures of food on land, such as his favourite pies and meats. He says: "Gawd! That was a narrow clip...As he remarked it he invariably gazed eastward over the broken sea."

The cook's positivity serves as a foil to the captain's more practical acceptance of uncertainty. While the captain is stoic and quiet, the cook is vocal and hopeful, providing a source of comfort and camaraderie for the other men. Despite their differences, the four men form a strong bond, with the correspondent noting: "It would be difficult to describe the subtle brotherhood of men that was here established on the seas...They were friends, friends in a more curiously iron-bound degree than may be common."

The oiler is realistic, strong, and obedient, but ultimately drowns

The oiler, whose name is given as Billie Higgins, is a realistic, strong, and obedient character in Stephen Crane's short story, 'The Open Boat'. He is a sailor and engine room worker, and the only character in the story referred to by name.

Billie is the strongest of the four men in the story, and the only one to perish. He is described as a "wily surfman", and his exceptional ability to row is noted by the correspondent, who wonders at his ability despite having worked a double shift before the ship sank. The oiler's physical strength is emphasised throughout the story, and he is often referred to as the "strongest" of the men.

Despite his strength, the oiler ultimately drowns. After spending two nights in the lifeboat, the men decide to swim to shore. Billie, as the strongest swimmer, swims ahead of the others. However, he is smashed in the surf by a huge wave and drowns, his body washed up on the beach.

The other three men reflect on the power of the sea, and how it could claim even the strongest man's life. The story ends with a sense of the indifference of nature, and the smallness of man in the face of the sea.

The men are united by a subtle brotherhood and a comradeship

In Stephen Crane's short story, "The Open Boat", four men—a cook, a correspondent, an oiler, and a captain—are stranded in a lifeboat in stormy seas after their ship sinks off the coast of Florida. The story explores themes of survival, solidarity, and the conflict between man and nature.

The men in the boat form a "subtle brotherhood" and a deep comradeship as they face the harsh realities of their situation. Despite their different roles and backgrounds, they are united by a common goal: to survive. They take turns rowing and bailing water, each contributing in their own way to keep the boat afloat.

The correspondent, who is presumably young and able-bodied, shares rowing duties with the oiler. He is initially cynical of men but is pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the brotherhood that forms between them. The captain, though injured, leads the group with calm and quiet authority. He gives directions and bears the full responsibility of getting everyone to safety. The cook maintains a positive outlook, often expressing his hopes for rescue. Though he is not fit enough to row, he makes himself useful by bailing water.

Despite their exhaustion and the constant threat of danger, the men find solace and strength in their shared experience. They work together, each fulfilling their roles, and form a bond that goes beyond mere recognition of the need for mutual survival. It is a deep and personal connection, one that the correspondent describes as the "best experience of his life".

This brotherhood is evident in the way they care for each other, as seen when the captain gently waves away a gull that lands on his head, knowing that a sudden movement could capsize the boat. It is also seen in the way they take turns rowing and resting, ensuring that no one is overburdened. Despite the grim reality of their situation, they find moments of levity, such as when the correspondent discovers dry cigars in his pocket and shares them with the others.

The men's brotherhood is further highlighted in the story's tragic ending. After their boat capsizes, they all make a break for it in the icy water. The oiler, the strongest swimmer, sadly drowns, while the others are rescued. This loss underscores the fragility of their situation and the strength of the bond that formed between them during their shared ordeal.

In "The Open Boat", Crane masterfully portrays the power of human connection and solidarity in the face of adversity. The men's subtle brotherhood and comradeship sustain them through their struggle for survival, providing warmth and comfort in the midst of the indifferent sea.

Frequently asked questions