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Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
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Crime and Punishment
Great Expectations
Heart of Darkness
Pride and Prejudice
The Book Thief
No Fear Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Teacher
Blog
Help
The Open Boat
Stephen Crane
Study Guide
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Analysis
Shifting Frames of Reference and Impressionism
Existentialism and Irony
Alternative Interpretations
Characters
Character List
The Correspondent
The Captain
The Oiler (Billie)
Main Ideas
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Quotes
Important Quotes Explained
Further Study
Context
Section Quizzes
Context
Plot Overview
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs and Symbols
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Cite This SparkNote
Teacher's Handbook
Further Study
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
Further Study
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
1
of 5
What unique problem does the Correspondent take on during his time aboard the boat?
Making sense of nature's purpose
Describing the indescribable
Comforting the Captain
Fixing the leak
2
of 5
What meaning does the Correspondent temporarily take from the natural "cruelty" the four men face?
God's punishment of sin
God's testing of faith
The necessity of technology
The necessity of community
3
of 5
What event has left the Captain a broken man?
A recent divorce
The loss of the ship
His daughter's death
Answers B. and C.
4
of 5
What is the Captain fighting for, first and foremost, as he attempts to guide the boat to safety?
The wellbeing of others
Redemption as a captain
His own survival
Revenge against nature
5
of 5
By following the Captain's orders and instilling confidence in others, what character type does the Oiler come to embody?
Judas figure
Everyman
Holy fool
Superfluous man
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The Open Boat
Character List
CHARACTERS
Important Quotations Explained
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
MAIN IDEAS
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