In the short stories the “Open Boat” written by Stephen Crane and “Cathedral” written by Raymond Carver, tell a tale about different groups of people who go through life changing experiences and come out in the end as a stronger community. Everywhere we look communities surround us all. From our families and friends to the people we go to school with. Communities make up the essence of our everyday life. The four main characters in the “Open Boat” are the captain, the cook, the correspondent, and the oiler; also known as Billy. The captain is injured in the shipwreck that takes place before the beginning of the story.
Despite his injury he naturally falls as the leader amongst the group of men. Stephen Crane says “… he could never command a more ready and swiftly obedient crew than the motley three of the dinghy. ” Although the men are no longer on the ship the same understanding and respect is still apparent for their captain. The cook is the most optimistic out of the group. Throughout, the “Open Boat” the cook remains hopeful the men will be rescued. His up-beat attitude helps to keep the men’s spirits up especially in their dire situation. In addition, to the cook the correspondent seemed to be the most selfless.
There are times where the correspondent has his opportunities to shine but instead he fades into the background. As for the oiler, he is the only one out of the men who is given a name; Billy. In the “Open Boat” Billy’s role amongst the men is important because besides the correspondent he too is the only one who does any rowing throughout their ordeal. Billy even manages to save the men thanks to his expert oarsmanship. Undoubtedly, each characters traits and skills played a key role in the men’s survival. None of the men would have lived if it were not for the other. Through their ordeal a brotherhood was born.
The setting of the “Open Boat” takes place in January off the coast of Florida. Four men are left to their own devices onboard a dinghy that is described as being no bigger then a bathtub. As the crew make their journey across the unforgiving sea. Wave after wave, of her icy cold surf crashes upon the poor men and their small boat. Soon balancing to keep the boat afloat becomes second nature amongst the group. With each new wave tearing into their craft it soon becomes apparent that Mother Nature is tormenting them. As night turns into day a figure of a lighthouse could be seen far out on the horizon.
Despite being the size of a pen point, the tiny lighthouse was a sign of hope. For the crew knew they were getting much closer to reaching land. For these reasons, setting played a significant role in the way the four men depended on eachother. From the small size of their boat, to the rough conditions of the water. It was clear the odds were stacked against them. But because of their ability to work as a team the crew is able to overcome the harsh conditions of the sea and make it to dry land. The three main characters in the “Cathedral” are the narrator, the narrator’s wife, and Robert.
In the beginning of the “Cathedral” the narrator comes off very prejudice. Raymond Carver says “my idea of blindness came from the movies. In the movies, the blind moved slowly and never laughed. ” The narrators’ attitude towards the blind and how they live their life is very naive. Unlike her husband the narrators wife is understanding and compassionate. Although interactions between the two couple would suggest their marriage was in strife. As for Robert he is the blind man who joins the group already being good friends with the narrator’s wife. The narrator at first is uncomfortable around Robert.
But as interactions between the two men progress the narrator is finally able to see what his wife saw in Robert the whole time. A kind and ordinary man, who was no different than you and I. The setting of the “Cathedral” takes place in New York City in the living room of the narrator and his wife’s house. Drinks are shared amongst the group as they take their seats in front of the TV. Shortly after his wife falls asleep the narrator and Robert turn their attention to the TV. Since Robert can’t see he asks the narrator to describe what he saw on the television. But this proves to be difficult for the narrator.
So Robert asks him to bring out a pen and paper where they begin to draw together what the narrator saw. This act proves to be important because it is when the narrator realizes you do not need sight to see the world for what it is. Every part of our senses connects us to the world and the people who live in it. Although the “Open Boat” and “Cathedral” had entirely different characters and setting. Both came together to share one key similarity, and it is community. Each story had groups of people going through different experiences in their life. Through those experiences they are able to find unity in eachother.
