An Open Boat
This analysis is based on a passage extracted from a short prose, "An Open Boat" written by the author Stephen Crane. Briefly summarizing, the story calls upon a crew of men struggling to harbor their dinghy safely aboard the shores of the seas. Unfortunately, this is due to the animosity caused by Mother nature. As a result, despair and frustration molds the moods of this scene. Other than that, the author employs a wide range of personifications, motifs, and a descriptive style of writing to paint vivid imageries within the reader's mind.Nature whereas a series of adversities is cast upon the crew to endure. As the readers approach the opening of the story, the author introduces them to an animated setting by being highly descriptive. The sea that lay ahead of the crew was described as a "broad stretch of lowly coast" (line 4). To vivificate the setting even more, the sea was illustrated as "dunes topped with dark vegetation" (line 5). Crane also personifies the behaviors of the turbulent sea. The surf would "roar", and sometimes the "white lip of a wave spun the beach" (line 5). Moreover, the surf was "thunderous and mighty" (line 10). It's obviously stated that no mercy will be granted among the passengers.
The seven gods refers to the seven different seas which makes the world's ocean, as believed to be ruled by the gods who in this case decided to play tricks on them, bringing back the theme on the power of nature. The use of imagery is another style of writing employed by Crane. The of 'the power of the nature' is represented by images of waves and tides swinging against the dinghy, showing that when it all comes down human are no match for nature's power. These are a few reasons why the moods are shaky, alarming and apprehensive. The men are facing the end of their journey of life and see this very cruel and stupid in a way which they have came soo far but ended up with nothing, which is the reality some of us faces today. There are many things which adds a few spices into this passage, some of them are descriptions and conversation made amongst the men. The language is at a moderately descriptive level, figurative language such as metaphor and simile are being use in example "the seven mad gods who rule the sea". In the other hand the emotional state aren't great because they know that safety is nearby but the only problem is getting there. Followed by a conversation refereeing to the following descriptions of the situation and setting. The second theme is the theme of man's determination to survive, as described earlier this theme also creates moods and atmosphere, it's also key to the passage in which evolves around men struggling to survive. The main themes are 'the power of nature' which is linked with the sea, tides, waves and wind and also the supernatural to some extent, this theme also helps creates mood and atmosphere. Therefore the method of characterization is dramatic. The following imagery helps creates mood and also functions as a motif, "a tiny house was blocked out black upon the sky", "the slim light-house lifted its little gray length. Some of these are quite significant such as "it was of low dunes topped with dark vegetation", "the roar of the surfs was plain, and sometimes could see the white lip of a wave as it spun up the beach". These tells us about the description of the shore and also the waves, emphasizing the setting will help create atmosphere.
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