THE OPEN BOAT
BY STEPHEN CRANE
Stephen Crane (1871-1900) packed a prolific writing
career into a short life. Creating notable works in three
schools of fiction (Naturalism, Realism, and
Impressionism), Crane is still revered as a master
stylist and storyteller. Like many other writers in the
American tradition, Crane started his professional
writing career as a journalist, including a stint as a war
correspondent in Cuba. “The Open Boat” was
inspired by Crane’s adventures aboard the SS
Commodore, which sank off the coast of Florida on his
way to Cuba.