Stephen Crane. "The Open Boat". Reading questions

1. What is the setting of the story? What is the significance of the setting considering that the story is told in the naturalist literary style?
2. Who are the individuals in the story? What are their duties?
3. List some examples of the indifference of nature against the struggle of the men.
4. What is the meaning of the sea gulls taunting the men in the boat?
5. How do the men form a brotherhood? List some examples.
6. List some examples of the significane of the use of color in the description of the environment.
7. List some examples of how the story fits the naturalist genre.
8. List some specific examples of the men's struggle against the forces of nature. Why can't they overcome these forces?
9. In your opinion, why do you think the oiler, the strongest of the four, is the one to die at the end?