Naturalistic Nuances

Stephen Crane was born in 1871 in Newark, New Jersey to very religious parents. Crane began his career at the age of four and had already published many articles by sixteen. His naturalistic and impressionistic stories have been highly influential in American literature and have greatly affected such authors as Ernest Hemmingway. “The Open Boat” is one of Crane’s more widely known stories and was written based upon Crane’s own experience in a shipwreck. In 1897 the S.S. Commodore sank off the coast of Florida, where Crane and his shipmates sought survival in a small dinghy. After covering the Greek and Cuban conflicts, Crane died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-eight.

The natural world is beautiful and magnificent, but it also harbors destructive power that rivals that of anything manmade. One theme of “The Open Boat” that particularly interested me was the conflict between man and nature. Throughout the story, the sailors fought to stay alive. To little avail, they attempted to make their way to a shore that seemed close enough to touch. Although neither force “wins” the conflict in the traditional sense, the experience of the sailors establishes a taciturn understanding between man and nature. The last line of the story states that the voice of the sea was brought to the shore and “[the sailors] felt as though they could be interpreters.” This experience gave them the insight to understand nature in its most raw form—a lesson that needs to be more widely learned in our own lives.

On the surface, this story appears nihilistic; however, as the story progresses it is clear that it is quite the opposite. Although in the face of extreme opposition, the four men create a sense of camaraderie that supports them in their pursuit to survive the destructive natural forces of the sea. Although there is no evidence of aid from God or a supernatural power—something that is apparent from the narrator’s many references to the “seven gods of the sea” that will let him drown—this story shows men helping each other and caring for one another in every way they can. This is first evident from the shifts taken by the men on the dinghy. Each man took his turn doing a physically taxing job and was, in turn, mercifully relieved by another. They all contributed and worked together—something that brought them a great sense of unity and love for one another. Furthermore, although the oiler dies, the end of the story does not leave the reader with a feeling of complete despair and sadness. The captain’s gesture for the rescuers to go after his crew and the citizens’ efforts to save the men at sea demonstrate brotherly love and selflessness that transcends even the destructive power that Crane so tirelessly described. In the end it is men who create compassion in a compassionless world—a theme that prevents this story from being one of hopelessness and destruction.

Click here to learn more about Stephen Crane.

Click here to learn more about "The Open Boat."

Click here to read "The Open Boat."

Please enjoy this man's awesome mustache. And his wise words about naturalism.

The Sustainability Prayer

First published in 1923, Twain's "The War Prayer" is a satirical indictment of war and blind, misplaced pride in a war machine. (Text for "The War Prayer" can be found here.) I have written my own version of "The War Prayer" that satirizes America's blind interest and love of sustainability, or "going green."

"The Sustainability Prayer"

It was a time of great and exalting excitement. For years, the citizens of Los Angeles had lived in a bowl of concentrated pollution from factories, power plants, and the most complex network of freeways in the country. Saturday, September 15^th, however, was different. On this day, all of these problems would change, as sustainability resonated through the town and themayor prepared to unveil a new wind farm, extended public transportation, and free recycling bins for all.

It was a festival to rival any other in the Los Angeles’ history. Every parking lot was full and every freeway was packed bumper to bumper as thousands migrated to the city center. Live dancers and jazz performers celebrated all afternoon and entertained spectators and passer-bys. On every street, local vendors sold only food cooked in solar ovens and drinks safely contained in recyclable bottles. A grand parade marched down the streets, celebrating the momentous occasion with floats and community bands. Citizens took tours of the new windmills and took free rides on the city’s new buses and trains. Proud parents watched as their children became vehement advocates of going green through harsh word and gloriously conspicuous example. All Angelinos were truly united and considered themselves blessed as they imagined the new clean city in which they would live.

Saturday night came and brought with it the real spectacle. At last the mayor stepped up to the pulpit to speak. His presence was silencing to thousands and anticipation flowed through the city like an electric wire as Angelinos from Pasadena to Long Beach hung upon his every word.

“Today is a red-letter day,” spoke the mayor. “For today, we finally rid ourselves of the troubles that once plagued this great city and its inhabitants. This new wind farm will stop the power plants from polluting our city! These new buses and trains will cut down on gas use and traffic! These recycle bins will take care of our bottles and cans! It is my hope that our city’s new face will be an example and a beacon of hope for Americans nationwide. Let our attitude of ‘going green’ work its magic and let our city finally be the town we want it to be!”

At the close of the mayor’s remarks, the throng of people erupted with celebratory yells. Fireworks shot off from every direction in brilliant sparkles of green, red, and blue and every light in the downtown area suddenly lit up with bright lights—an act that seemed to declare, “Welcome to Los Angeles—where sustainability counts!”

At the strike of twelve, the festival drew to a close. Angelinos from young to old slowly filed back to their cars, carrying a general air of self-satisfaction and a firm knowledge that the problems that had afflicted them for so long had finally been resolved.

One year passed. The city continued to grow as it always had and the people’s demand for energy was higher than ever. As September 15^th once again approached, preparations began for the Second Annual City of Los Angeles Goin’ Green Festival. When the day finally arrived people again drove from every part of the county to participate in the festivities. Parking lots were filled and cars backed up the streets for miles as they waited for empty train cars to traverse the asphalt and empty buses to make their scheduled stops. Once in the city center, people stopped and listened to live musicians as they played festive fanfares and expressed their green appreciation through music. Vendors again sold food in recyclable containers with biodegradable napkins and forks. Both eight year olds and octogenarians alike watched as the grand parade began and marched throughout the entire downtown area. Floats of all colors and shapes glistened in the afternoon sun and called attention to Los Angeles’ new life and recent accomplishments. All Angelinos stared proudly at the remote revitalizing windmills, standing in the still air like energetically efficient totem poles.

Sunday night came and with it the climax of the city’s second annual festival. The mayor approached the pulpit, commanding the same presence of dignity and leadership as he had one year earlier. Suddenly both young and old obeyed a taciturn commandment of silence and listened intently to the mayor’s magnificent oration.

“My dear people,” he said. “Today marks the day of the anniversary of the founding of a green Los Angeles!” The crowd exploded and shouts of joy echoed between the streets and rose above the skyscrapers. The mayor continued, “We have truly done a great thing, for in this last year we have accomplished so much. God has blessed us with a great city and a great people—people who perform their civic duty with diligence and pride. May God continue to bless us and keep us!”

It was then that the air of self-satisfaction and blithe joy began to change. As the mayor was finishing his remarks, citizens watched as one man, weathered with age and true civic concern, passed empty recycling bins and walked toward the mayor. He climbed onto the stage and staggered to the pulpit, gesturing for the mayor to step aside. The old man approached the pulpit and began to preach the most horrific sermon that had been heard in fifty years.

“My dear citizens, what is this idea that has blinded you so completely? This town reeks of hypocrisy. You have mistaken irresponsibility for ingenuity, egotism for efficiency, self-satisfaction for true sustainability. Before you think yourselves blessed, consider what the truth is. How many of you have actually helped to make L.A. a “greener” place? How many of you have lifted even your smallest finger? You live your lives relying on new programs to clean up your messes for you!” Suddenly the man pointed to a woman close by and asked, “Did you drive here today?” The woman stood silent. The old man inquired of another, “Do you take the new trains to work?” He too stood silent. “My friends,” the man continued, “faith without works is dead! Sustainability is responsibility! You all speak of ‘going green’, but what have you done to contribute? Do you not see what is happening? Your attitude of self-satisfaction will be your downfall! Verily I say unto you, those who sound a trumpet at their accomplishment will have their reward! Your lack of accountability and fake appearances will spiral you and the future of this city into a worse state than ever before. Buses and recycle bins are useless when not used. Change must start with the individual—do not wait for your neighbors! You speak of your civic pride and duty, yet it runs as empty as your city’s trains. Think of your children and grandchildren. What kind of city will they live in? Let us unite and work together to affect a change for the future of our families and the future of our city!”

With every passing moment and every uttered word, Angelinos from north to south became increasingly indignant. “Who is this man?!” exclaimed the multitude. “Drive him out of town!” they yelled. The prophetic preacher suddenly scrambled off the stage and ran into the distance where he was never heard from again.

Outraged and offended, the throngs of people quickly convinced themselves that he was a lunatic and that none of his nonsensical message was applicable to them. After the sermon, the night’s festivities came to a close with the most grandiose fireworks display ever seen. In the following years, citizens of Los Angeles, both young and old, pressed on in their cause, knowing that they were engaged in a good and righteous work.