QUOTE:
“When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea’s voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters” (Crane 1016).
SUMMARY:
After the surviving men are welcomed back to land, they watch the oiler’s body being carried up the beach. Although the land is welcoming them, they seem to have a deeper connection to the sea now.
RESPONSE:
The men actually seem to have a deeper understanding of life after this experience. They not only appear more connected to the sea, they also now “know” the color of the sky. The first sentence of The Open Boat starts out, “None of them knew the color of the sky” (Crane 1000), which can have many interpretations. However, by section VII, “The morning appeared finally, in its splendor, with a sky of pure blue, and the sunlight flamed on the tips of the waves” (Crane 1013). I think the men learn much more about themselves, the sky, and the sea, and can now become “interpreters” because they have a learning experience about this aspect of nature that they can share.
I know that some people who read this story don’t understand the ending, but I think the ending makes sense when the sentences I mentioned are really analyzed and broken down. The physical journey from the ocean to land is accompanied by a psychological journey (the mental stages that we went over in class). Although it may seem like there isn’t a solid conclusion to the story or plot, the men certainly seem to have an epiphany. That’s where I think the story is open to interpretation. Readers may understand the story to be about love and friendship, determination, or even about what I see as a more pessimistic view: determinism, different than determination because there is no free will.
Friday, February 22, 2008
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.
“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.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Journal #23 Stephen Crane: High Stress Can Cause Narcissism!
QUOTE:
“If I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea, was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees” (Crane 1011).
SUMMARY:
This is the plea repeated throughout the treacherous last stretch of the boat trip to shore.
RESPONSE:
I pointed this quote out in class as being one of the emotional stages the men go through while they try to survive their trip to shore. I really related to this sort of questioning since I had a very similar mindset right after my accident, but now I see how it is basically thinking, “Hey this is ME…how can I be put through this?” This mindset seems to fall under a more narcissistic attitude, and can cause anyone to become annoyed or angry with anyone or anything (no matter how trivial the situation may be). Being on the outside looking in makes it much easier for the readers to either identify the misinterpretation as a result of the high stress atmosphere, or to laugh at it.
There isn’t really anything to laugh at in a situation like this one though. I don’t think this quote is repeated because it is funny or narcissistic, I think Crane is representing the psyche of the characters; and especially since his style falls into the category of “realism” and “naturalism,” it makes the most sense to portray the more extreme psychological responses real people may have.
I think one of the main reasons why I liked this story so much is because it is so real. I happen to relate to how real it is from my own personal experience, but I think anyone can identify the story in his or her own way and enjoy it. Crane’s fictional account of a nonfiction story is told from the perspective of almost a “reporter-type” third person, but still keeps the emotion of reading a story told in the first person.
“If I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned – if I am going to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea, was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees” (Crane 1011).
SUMMARY:
This is the plea repeated throughout the treacherous last stretch of the boat trip to shore.
RESPONSE:
I pointed this quote out in class as being one of the emotional stages the men go through while they try to survive their trip to shore. I really related to this sort of questioning since I had a very similar mindset right after my accident, but now I see how it is basically thinking, “Hey this is ME…how can I be put through this?” This mindset seems to fall under a more narcissistic attitude, and can cause anyone to become annoyed or angry with anyone or anything (no matter how trivial the situation may be). Being on the outside looking in makes it much easier for the readers to either identify the misinterpretation as a result of the high stress atmosphere, or to laugh at it.
There isn’t really anything to laugh at in a situation like this one though. I don’t think this quote is repeated because it is funny or narcissistic, I think Crane is representing the psyche of the characters; and especially since his style falls into the category of “realism” and “naturalism,” it makes the most sense to portray the more extreme psychological responses real people may have.
I think one of the main reasons why I liked this story so much is because it is so real. I happen to relate to how real it is from my own personal experience, but I think anyone can identify the story in his or her own way and enjoy it. Crane’s fictional account of a nonfiction story is told from the perspective of almost a “reporter-type” third person, but still keeps the emotion of reading a story told in the first person.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Journal #22 Stephen Crane: Life Or Death Strength!
QUOTE:
“The correspondent wondered ingenuously how in the name of all that was sane could there be people who thought it amusing to row a boat. It was not an amusement; it was a diabolical punishment” (Crane 1004).
SUMMARY:
The men become stuck out in the ocean before they can attempt to safely steer their rowboat to shore. The wind and waves are treacherous to the dinghy, so they take turns constantly rowing to stay alive.
RESPONSE:
This quote reminds me of a line from any standup comic’s routine that is pointing out the irony in certain hobbies, or maybe even “death-sports.” I think that it could even be the “comic relief” in Crane’s story. This would be an observation to make the readers (or entire audience for a comic) feel the humorous power of being in complete agreement, at least for this specific situation. The different thoughts that the men have during this experience tend to be contemplating ideas that many people can relate to in their own ways, which I think helps make The Open Boat a very interesting and engaging read.
This section also makes me think of the difference between a hobby and a job. Rowing a boat, or any activity/hobby is fun when it’s not required, or when it isn’t a “life or death” situation. Just like how teaching dance sounds fun, which it usually is; but sometimes it can be a difficult test of character and strength. Sometimes I think the kids I teach are purposely trying to be difficult, but I’m seen as “providing a service,” which makes the customer almost always right (I say almost because I still have my judgment as a teacher). However, my job (like many jobs) isn’t really life threatening, which puts my “job wimpy-ness” into perspective when I read stories like this one. I guess I can’t really think of this situation of rowing the boat to safety as a real job though. I always hear about the amazing bursts of strength that people demonstrate in very serious situations.
“The correspondent wondered ingenuously how in the name of all that was sane could there be people who thought it amusing to row a boat. It was not an amusement; it was a diabolical punishment” (Crane 1004).
SUMMARY:
The men become stuck out in the ocean before they can attempt to safely steer their rowboat to shore. The wind and waves are treacherous to the dinghy, so they take turns constantly rowing to stay alive.
RESPONSE:
This quote reminds me of a line from any standup comic’s routine that is pointing out the irony in certain hobbies, or maybe even “death-sports.” I think that it could even be the “comic relief” in Crane’s story. This would be an observation to make the readers (or entire audience for a comic) feel the humorous power of being in complete agreement, at least for this specific situation. The different thoughts that the men have during this experience tend to be contemplating ideas that many people can relate to in their own ways, which I think helps make The Open Boat a very interesting and engaging read.
This section also makes me think of the difference between a hobby and a job. Rowing a boat, or any activity/hobby is fun when it’s not required, or when it isn’t a “life or death” situation. Just like how teaching dance sounds fun, which it usually is; but sometimes it can be a difficult test of character and strength. Sometimes I think the kids I teach are purposely trying to be difficult, but I’m seen as “providing a service,” which makes the customer almost always right (I say almost because I still have my judgment as a teacher). However, my job (like many jobs) isn’t really life threatening, which puts my “job wimpy-ness” into perspective when I read stories like this one. I guess I can’t really think of this situation of rowing the boat to safety as a real job though. I always hear about the amazing bursts of strength that people demonstrate in very serious situations.
Journal #21 Stephen Crane: Near-Death Experience Bonding!
QUOTE:
“To express any particular optimism at this time they felt to be childish and stupid, but they all doubtless possessed this sense of the situation in their mind. A young man thinks doggedly at such times…so they were silent” (Crane 1002).
SUMMARY:
The men from the sunken steamer are attempting to escape the rough seas in a ten-foot dinghy. They feel hopeful about making the trip back to land, but they don’t want to seem impractical if they don’t survive.
RESPONSE:
The men are feeling a roller coaster of emotions as they try to row towards land, and each phase in their escape seems to have a different trial for the men to endure. They are first arguing about life-saving stations and houses of refuge, which seems premature, especially after the oiler points out where they are located in the ocean. When the men work together to figure out what seems like a system for successfully rowing through and over the waves, they are practically attacked by seagulls. The men become completely annoyed with the continual ordeals that are only a nuisance to them, in what seems like a boundless journey. They never consider giving up though, so they begin to happily support every suggestion towards reaching the shore.
I guess in a situation like this, letting the seagulls, waves, or sweltering sunlight really get to them would cause the men to go insane. The drive to keep pushing on is their motivation, since they don’t want to possibly “jinx” this detour, and they can’t let their minds become caught up in other thoughts. Crane conveys the anxiousness throughout the entire text though, so even when the men are keeping themselves very composed considering the circumstances, I still can’t imagine how uncomfortable and horrible the conditions of their craft are.
It makes sense for the men to be almost confused about how to react in this life-threatening experience. So many contrasting emotions affect them, along with the sense of being “in it together,” which brings everyone closer together as essential parts of a machine. I think this supports the idea that near-death experiences bring people together, like family or even in marriage.
“To express any particular optimism at this time they felt to be childish and stupid, but they all doubtless possessed this sense of the situation in their mind. A young man thinks doggedly at such times…so they were silent” (Crane 1002).
SUMMARY:
The men from the sunken steamer are attempting to escape the rough seas in a ten-foot dinghy. They feel hopeful about making the trip back to land, but they don’t want to seem impractical if they don’t survive.
RESPONSE:
The men are feeling a roller coaster of emotions as they try to row towards land, and each phase in their escape seems to have a different trial for the men to endure. They are first arguing about life-saving stations and houses of refuge, which seems premature, especially after the oiler points out where they are located in the ocean. When the men work together to figure out what seems like a system for successfully rowing through and over the waves, they are practically attacked by seagulls. The men become completely annoyed with the continual ordeals that are only a nuisance to them, in what seems like a boundless journey. They never consider giving up though, so they begin to happily support every suggestion towards reaching the shore.
I guess in a situation like this, letting the seagulls, waves, or sweltering sunlight really get to them would cause the men to go insane. The drive to keep pushing on is their motivation, since they don’t want to possibly “jinx” this detour, and they can’t let their minds become caught up in other thoughts. Crane conveys the anxiousness throughout the entire text though, so even when the men are keeping themselves very composed considering the circumstances, I still can’t imagine how uncomfortable and horrible the conditions of their craft are.
It makes sense for the men to be almost confused about how to react in this life-threatening experience. So many contrasting emotions affect them, along with the sense of being “in it together,” which brings everyone closer together as essential parts of a machine. I think this supports the idea that near-death experiences bring people together, like family or even in marriage.
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