Stephen Crane, "The Open Boat"

Included in the Seagull Reader

Text on p. 385 of the full Ninth Edition and p. 343 of the shorter Ninth Edition.

Reading Questions

1. Describe each of the four men. Then describe them as a group ("the men"). How do they respond individually and as a group to their extraordinary situation? What is the effect of the unattributed dialogue?

2. Even though the story is told in third person, whose perspective seems to be dominant? Which character are you most sympathetic to and why?

3. What repetitions did you notice in the story? How do they affect your understanding of what the author may be saying?

4. Make sure that you can distinguish among the characters and have all of the details about what happens and when.

5. Did you anticipate the death at the end? Is it ironic, unfair, or predictable? Explain.

 


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