Journal #24 Stephen Crane: The Open Boat Filled With Love and Compassion!

QUOTE:

“A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers, / There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears; / But a comrade stood beside him, and he took that comrade’s hand, / And he said: ‘I never more shall see my own, my native land’” (Crane 1012).


SUMMARY:

The correspondent suddenly remembers this verse from his childhood. He had never understood the importance of the verse, but it now has meaning to him.


RESPONSE:

This is where I first noticed the emotions of love and understanding in The Open Boat. The correspondent finally realizes that these men may be the last people he ever interacts with, and really realizes how they are all trying to help each other survive. He also remembers this verse while he is on “rowing duty” while the others sleep in the bottom of the boat. This part of the story is very endearing because the relationship forming between the men seems like the unconditional love between family members or extremely close friends. They take turns sleeping and there is always one man rowing, however even though each man who is rowing may feel alone because the others are asleep, the injured captain is actually awake.

I think this is also where the deeper camaraderie really forms between at least the correspondent (since he comes to the realization of the verse) and his fellow men. He doesn’t give up and he never says that he won’t see home again like the soldier, so I think his appreciation for his friends (especially the captain) is what makes him relate to the verse. He also can rely on the oiler (Billie) to switch places with him and row for a little while without having any animosity build up between the two. I think the plan they are carrying out for the survival of the group shows the compassion the men have for everyone in the boat, which makes the readers feel some compassion as well.