"The Open Boat," by Stephen Crane.
I really liked “The Open Boat” for several reasons. The language was concise, the imagery powerful, and the story frustratingly plausible. My view of nature is much more like Crane’s than, say, Whitman or Wordsworth. Nature is beautiful, powerful, and indifferent to your survival. The story is also an intriguing study of what happens to four men in a very small space in a struggle for life and death. Some things are talked about: pie, houses-of-refuge, the pleasure of rowing, as well as practical matters of survival. Other things are not spoken aloud: their community, death, the steamer sunk, and very personal matters.
Here is a line I liked.
“On the northern horizon a new light appeared, a small bluish gleam on the edge of the waters. These two lights were the furniture of the world. Otherwise there was nothing but waves.”
The furniture of the world. Furniture defines the spaces we live in. That domestic image was such a powerful way of putting across their frightening state.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I hadn't thought of it in terms of what was talked about and what wasn't. That's true in so many hard situations--when we are unable to cope with tragedy we often bring up the trivial things, saying anything to keep our minds off what they want so hard to focus on. These men were having powerful inner struggles about all those things that were left unsaid, yet they didn't surface in their conversations with the other men. That's a great observation!
Ah! I also loved the line about the furniture of the world... In fact there are many of Crane's poetic lines that I love. But I find it interesting that we both picked that one out. "Furniture defines the spaces we live in." Well said. A lot of my memories are associated with particular pieces of furniture. The rocking chair, my grandmother's sofa, and my mother's favorite lamp all have distinct memories attached to them. I think maybe that is why the furniture line stuck in my brain as well... Thanks Liberty!
Although it took me a while to get used to his language, I too liked Crane's "Open Boat." His use of language is so fascinating to me in that he uses many words to communicate a story that wouldn't ordinarily take very long to tell. It's intense and so raw and realistic. Powerful imagery, like you say.
I also agree with your take on nature being rather indifferent to man's survival/happiness/anything. Is it pitiful that we sometimes think it cares? Or is it just an attempt to make things matter?
I wish I had a commentary from Crane as to what he thinks about their community, death, why the steamer sunk/what it was like, and the more personal things like you say! I wish I wish!
Brought on by the list of mentioned topics in your post, I can't help but remark on the inane things that human beings think about under stressful conditions. Certainly a coping mechanism, and it's interesting the level of the psychological that Crane introduces into the story all without seeming to try.
Admittedly, I actually missed the line about the furniture of the world and probably would have continued to ignore it if not for your post. I had to go back and reread the story just for that and it's all your fault. Thanks a lot, Liberty! ;p
(Seriously, thanks. It really was an important thought and I still can't believe I missed it.)
Post a Comment