The Forces of Nature

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper examines the plots and main characters in both works while detailing the various similarities. Both stories revolve around the struggle to survive, both within and against nature, which becomes a dominant character in both respective tales. The writer contends that Crane's novel is naturalistic, as it describes circumstances where man learns the true power of nature. The same holds true for "Cast Away," which focuses on one man's survival against the elements of nature. This paper explores how both the main characters in each story are at first angry and defiant towards nature, yet within time, both become respectful and resigned to its forces. This paper discusses the powerful magnitude of the ocean in both works, while also detailing the fact that nature pays no attention to time, which seems to go by with agonizing slowness.

From the Paper:

"In both works, time, of which nature pays no heed, goes by with agonizing slowness. Nature, after all, is indifferent to any of humanity's temporal, spatial, or physical needs, and reminds characters in these works of this often. The ordeal of "The Open Boat" is shorter than that of Cast Away, only one night as opposed to four years, but to the trapped men on the open sea, it feels interminable. They spend the night merely enduring their fate, guessing if someone has seen them from shore. In Cast Away, Chuck, in his pre-island life at FedEx, often told fellow employees, "Time is our enemy." Once alone on the island, however, it becomes Chuck's enemy (but eventually, his friend) in whole new ways. In both works, nature takes command of time, indifferent to human needs. Chuck initially spends his days just learning to survive."

More papers on The Forces of Nature:

• Analytical Essay # 67619 : "The Power of Nature in "To Build a Fire" and "The Law of Life"
• Analytical Essay # 115636 : "The Majesty of Nature in 'Partie de Campagne'"
• Analytical Essay # 3916 : "Forces of Nature: An analysis of "Wuthering Heights"

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