Journal #22 Stephen Crane

Shirly Ong
English 48B
22 February, 2008
Journal #21 Stephen Crane

Quote:
“Presently it seemed that even the captain dozed, and the correspondent thought that he was the one man afloat on all the oceans. The wind had a voice as it came over the waves, and it was sadder than the end”

Summary:
The correspondent felt he was alone in the sea when his three companions slept.

Response:
In this quote, Stephen Crane illustrates the loneliness of the correspondent. Even though he was accompanied by the captain, the oiler, and the cook, all sleeping beside him, he felt he was alone in the sea. This is because he had a great fear of being awake alone in the sea, facing the fierce waves that could kill him. This is human nature. When facing death or danger, we hope someone can accompany us. It helps soothe fear. Companion’s reactions and supports are critical to someone in fear and stress, like the correspondent. Therefore, although the captain, the oiler and the cook were sleeping beside the correspondent, he felt lonely as they do not have any reactions towards the waves striking the boat. Moreover, he was freezing on the boat. I think the correspondent has been mentally and physically tortured so much at that time. Stephen Crane spotlights his loneliness by saying the correspondent thought he was the only man floating “on all the oceans”. This triggers my imagination of the borderless oceans with the correspondent alone floating. How poor he is! Stephen Crane’s description well depicts and amplifies the fear of the correspondent. At the same time, it highlights the human nature of fear, of which Stephen Crane wants to demonstrate.