1、The open boatThe open boat Stephen Stephen Crane Crane qStephen Crane(November 1,1871 June 5,1900)was an American poet,novelist,and short story writer.Prolific throughout his short life,he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism
2、He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation.Major works qMaggie:A Girl of the Streets 街街头头女郎麦女郎麦姬姬q(William Dean Howells thought this work is the best one of Cranes works.It was the true work of Crane.The first work of American literary Naturalism)qThe
3、 Red Badge of Courage 红红色英勇色英勇勋勋章章qThe Open Boat 海上扁舟海上扁舟 The Blue Hotel 蓝蓝色旅店色旅店qThe Bride Comes to Yellow Sky 新娘来到黄天新娘来到黄天镇镇qThe Black Riders and Other Lines 黑黑骑骑者者qWar is kind 战战争是仁慈的争是仁慈的Naturalism qIt was a term created by French novelist,Emile Zola(埃米(埃米尔尔.左拉左拉).In studying human life,the Natu
4、ralist used the discoveries and knowledge of modern science.He believed that opinions and morality were controlled by social,economic and psychological causes.qThe Naturalistic writers were philosophical pessimists.(悲悲观观哲学)哲学)They explained that man was the product of social progresses and social ev
5、olution.Man was a weak and incompetent animal and man himself could not master his own fate,man was no longer free.qIntheNaturalisticworks,IntheNaturalisticworks,thereisaconcernwiththethereisaconcernwiththeanimalortheirrationalanimalortheirrational(非(非理性)理性)motivationsformotivationsforhumanbehavior,
6、sometimeshumanbehavior,sometimesmanifestedinconnectionmanifestedinconnectionwithsexualityandviolencewithsexualityandviolence.Writing TechniquesWriting TechniquesuRepetition If I am going to be drowned,if I amMore vivid impression of the despair and hopelessness.uSimile uMetaphor uPersonification She
7、 did not seem to cruel to him,nor beneficent,nor treacherous,nor wise.But she was indifferent,flatly indifferent.uSymbolization uContrast The boat UnprotectedUncertaintiesLife is not something we can controlThe poem UnderstandingMaturity of the correspondent The tower Hope Indifference of nature Wri
8、ting background:It is based on what really happened to him in 1896.Crane was travelling from the US to Cuba as a newspaper correspondent(reporter).One night,his ship was hit by a sandbar and sank in the Atlantic Ocean,most people on board got into lifeboat,Crane was among the last to leave,there are
9、 three others with him:the ships captain,the cook and a sailor.Plot The story is about four people,a correspondent,a cook,an oiler and a captain,who were abandoned on the boundless sea,though they are extremely hungry and exhausted,they never gave up the desire to survive.they formed a team which ha
10、d a clear goal to get out of the plight.The captain who had a rich life experience is a leading figure,three other people were under command of the captain.The cook responsible for scooping water out of the ship,while correspondent and oiler were paddling,they work together tightly for the hope of s
11、urvival.Plot Firstly the captain saw a life of refuge near mosquito inlet light,they see the hope of survival,however,when they get close to the so-called life of refuge,there was not anyone in it,their hope suddenly became disillusioned.Then hope came again,they saw a people standing on the beach,s
12、o they thought they would save them,but to their surprised,that man cant understand their dilemma and not call the rescue and left.In the face of relentless nature,four hopeless people are reluctant to yield,even though the humans strength are limited,three of them finally made it and safely went to
13、 the shore.CaptainCalmQuietAlertawakeCorrespondentthoughtful observer thinkerpessimisticCookPositiveNave CheerfulcomicalOilerWarm-heartedIntegrityobedientThe main charactersMajor themes of“the open boatMajor themes of“the open boatu(1)Mans eternal struggle against natureu(2)The fragility of human existenceu(3)The struggle for survivalu(4)The power of communityMy own feeling:Mans insignificance in the earth “Survival of the fittest(适者生存)The power of the human spiritTheThe endend