The Open Boat: (Classic Edition)
- ISBN-10
- ISBN-13
- 9798599437949
- Series
- The Open Boat
- Pages
- 46
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2021-01-24
- Publisher
- Independently Published
- Author
- Stephen Crane
Description
"The Open Boat" begins with four men-the captain, the oiler, the cook, and the correspondent-rowing a small dinghy boat off the coast of Florida in January following a shipwreck. Tall waves constantly threaten to swamp the small boat. The captain, who is injured, gives directions while the cook bails out the water collecting at the bottom of the boat. The correspondent and the oiler take turns at the oars. Constant rowing makes them fatigued, though the correspondent values the sense of brotherhood that has developed among the desperate men. The captain spots a lighthouse far off in the distance; the men hope it is a life-saving station, equipped with people who can take a boat out to rescue them. The mood turns cheery as the men approach the lighthouse. Certain of their impending rescue, they light four cigars the correspondent has in his pocket. However, no life-savers come to rescue them, so they attempt to take the boat to shore themselves, despite the increasingly dangerous swells that rise from the shallower water. The mood turns bitter as they exchange addresses to send news of their deaths. The narrator questions why the god of Fate would be so cruel as to let them feel hope only to drown them after all. The wind gains force, so Billie the oiler turns the boat back to safer waters. They spend the afternoon rowing.
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Other editions
-
- 2015-10-11
- 42 pages
- Paperback
- CreateSpace