论文美国文学选读OnTheOpenBoatbyStephenCrane.doc

On The Open Boat by Stephen Crane Abstract：The Open Boat is a short story by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Praised for its innovation by contemporary critics, the story is considered an exemplary work of literary Naturalism. It is notable for its use of imagery, irony, symbolism, and the exploration of such themes as survival, solidarity, and the conflict between man and nature. Therefore, this article attemps to to make it clear, help us realise it more distinctively, and direct us to experience and even use these skills. Keywords：The Open Boat, Stephen Crane, Style and technique I. Introduction The Open Boat is one of the most frequently discussed works in Crane’s canon, and is regularly anthologized. The story and its subsequent eponymous collections received high acclaim from contemporary critics and authors. H. G. Wells considered it to be “beyond all question, the crown of all his work”, and it is one of the most frequently discussed works in Crane’s canon. II. Stephen Crane Stephen Crane (November 1, 1871 – June 5, 1900) was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation. The eighth surviving child of staunch Methodist Protestant parents, Crane began writing at the age of four and had published several articles by the age of 16. Crane’s first novel was the 1893 Bowery tale Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, which critics generally consider the first work of American literary Naturalism. He won international acclaim for his 1895 Civil War novel The Red Badge of Courage, which he wrote without any battle experience. In 1896, the 25-year-old Stephen Crane accepted an offer to cover the Spanish-American War as a war correspondent. While en route to Cuba, Crane’s ship sank off the coast of Florida,