The Open Boat - Stephen Crane

The Open Boat - Stephen Crane

The Oiler

The Open Boat, written by Stephen Crane is a tale about four men that were intended to be portrayed after their steam ship has sank. The men's journey to survival all takes place on what is left of the boat in which they mention as a Dinghy. These men are traveling through open waters being the only survivors of their ship, in this small boat. The problem is that the boat is so delicate, that any sudden movement or fault can have them tumbling into the frigid water. They work together and cooperate for there survival, not to mention they have some arguments as well, but in their situation they form a brotherhood. Realism and Naturalism is avidly seen throughout this tale. The oiler has a destined fate that brings these men to their unintended outcome.

Billie, AKA, the Oiler, is a testament to the strength, courage and integrity of putting actions into your own hands just by being the average Joe. Stephen Crane wanted to portray the Oilers image to resemble that of the average person. The Oiler was very honorable and respectable, when referring to the social class of the boat. He took Captains orders and repeated the captain's orders even after the boat sank and the obvious injure the captain had, he still thought of him as his captain. The captain mentions the boats direction to the oiler "Keep'er a little more south, Billie," said the captain, and Billie would repeat his command in a respectful fashion "A little more south,' sir" (Crane 504). This is realism, even though the situation is not in an everyday setting the view of social class is at hand between the Oiler and the Captain. Billie doesn't only take the orders of the captain he take certain matters into his own hands if the predicament required him to make some major changes. ""Captain," Oiler said, "I think I'd better bring her about,