Optimistic Strain Of American Naturalism In "the Open Boat"

The short story “The Open Boat” is considered the most sophisticated work ofStephen Crane. Since the main characteristic of literary naturalism is pessimism, mostpeople take it for granted that “The Open Boat” gives expression to the pessimistictheme of fatalism and nihilism and the law of “survival of the fittest”. However, to myway of thinking, the perseverance of the four men who confronting the battle againsttheir fates and the brotherhood arises in the plight in “The Open Boat” embodies theidea Zola proposed in Le Roman Experimental.“The Open Boat” is special because ofits subtle optimism in pessimistic American Naturalism. This thesis takes “The OpenBoat” as the text of its study and makes comparison between “The Open Boat” andother American naturalistic works to prove the optimistic of “The Open Boat”. Thestructure of this thesis is as follows:In Chapter one, the literature review and the significance of this thesis will bepresented.In Chapter two, a brief introduction to American Naturalism which containingthe theoretical origin and historical backgrounds will be made.In Chapter three, the traditional studies of Crane’s short story “The Open Boat”will be summarized.In Chapter four, the optimism in The Open Boat will be discussed in two aspects:man and nature, man and society.In Chapter five, a conclusion will be made and the limitation and prospect of thestudy will be mentioned.