The Non-naturalistic Elements in 'The Open Boat'

摘要

Stephen Crane is one of the most significant writers in American literature who is always related to Naturalism. "The Open Boat" is universally acknowledged as his well-known short story which belongs to the literary Naturalism. Many scholars find the Naturalism elements in the story to illustrate its Naturalism theme, especially when explaining the death of the oiler. However, from the author's point of view, "The Open Boat" does not only reflect the ubiquitous Naturalism ideological trend which considers that Nature is superior to the human during the late nineteenth century, but also shows some conventional perspectives or views through the use of non-naturalistic elements by Crane, especially by the elaboration of the four men on the boat and the presentation of the death of the oiler. It is concluded that naturalistic tendency plays a minor role instead of mainstream in Crane's creation in "The Open Boat".