Many authors use symbols to express their themes to the reader. Symbols can come in various forms. In "The Open Boat," Crane reflects on his own experience to make the most of a common theme in his a portion of his works: "Nature is indifferent to human problems." In this story, Cranes shows the theme of man's struggle versus nature's indifference the symbolism of water, wildlife, and wind.
             Indeed, water symbolizes nature's lack of concern toward man. Despite the tired men's daring struggle to save their lives, the waves were "wrongfully and barbarously abrupt and tall" greatly hindering the little boat's navigation. The men found that "As each salty wall of water approached, it shut all else from the view of the men in the boat, and it was not difficult to imagine that this particular wave was the final outburst of the ocean, the last effort of the grim water. There was a terrible grace in the move of the waves, and they came in silence, save for the snarling of the crests." The men's optimism against nature was that each wave was going to be the last. The water proved to be too powerful, forcing the men to turn back to sea. "The little boat, lifted by each towering sea, and splashed viciously by the crests, made progress that in the absence of sea-weed was not apparent to those in her. She seemed just a wee thing wallowing, miraculously, top-up, at the mercy of five oceans. Occasionally, a great spread of water, like white flames, swarmed into her." In addition, the temperature of the water was cold, adding to their misery. As they would try to rest, "the chilling water soaked them anew." The fact of the cold water mixed with his evaluation of his situation brought despair to a new intensity. Further, towards the end of the story, the water would reveal a new nemesis to the correspondent. Once in the water, he finds his progress hampered. &quo...