Question

Which underlying theme of the work is evident in this passage? Perchance they might be formulated thus: "If I am going to be drowned—if I am going to be drowned—if I am going to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea, was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees? Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I was about to nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous. If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management of men''s fortunes. from "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane

Answer 1

The passage above highlights one of The Open Boat's theme: Man's existence insignificance. The characters in the book often rant against fate, to cover for (the argument Crane's trying to make)  the sense that in the end all there is, is nothingness.