Compare To Build A Fire And The Open Boat

“A man said to the universe: Sir, I exist! However, replied the universe, this fact has not created in me a sense of obligation” (Stephen Crane). Crane’s immortal words perhaps perfectly encapsulate the true message of naturalism, a literary philosophy in which nature is a cold and foreboding presence for which a mere ant and intelligent human being are one and the same. This revelation began in the late nineteenth century after the idea of realism had outgrown itself. Prominent authors such as Jack London and Stephen Crane were publishing stories and novels with the overarching theme of nature’s indifference toward man. Two of their most famous works, London’s “To Build A Fire” and Crane’s “The Open Boat,” were both about men who tried to

The protagonist, as the narrator remarks, is a shortsighted man who “was quick and alert in the things of life, but only the things, and not in the significances” (London 651), and is instead wrapped up in him-self. His ego is so large that he even ignores the very important advice of never traveling alone in “below seventy-degree weather” (London 653). This man believes himself to be very strong and capable, but the environment around him debunks that sentiment when his dog falls into the river the two companions are walking along. In trying to save the dog, the man takes off his gloves and shoes, which prove to be a big mistake for him. Because it is so cold, his fingers and toes freeze, and he is unable to get a fire going. His inability to understand nature and even perhaps believe that nature is something to be appreciated causes him to essentially lose his life. This series of events proves that nature does not care how capable or intelligent a human may be. Nature does not care that the man saved his dog from dying. Nature does not care what man has accomplished. For nature, humankind is simply another one of its creations. Because the protagonist takes his survival for granted and believes that the cold weather will not affect him, he gets taught a very brutal

Out of the four men who are on the dinghy, it is easily argued that the oiler, Billy, is the strongest and most hard working. In fact, the narrator of the story describes him as “busy” (Crane 605) several times. When the men are swimming to safety, it is the oiler who swims with the hardest strokes. However, of the four men, the oiler is the only one who dies. This sudden change in events only reiterates one point: nature is indifferent. Had nature cared, the oiler would certainly have not been the one to die, based on his accomplishments and skill. It is surmised that nature is uncaring of who she kills. To her, our merits are