The Open Boat (Allegory)
The predicament of the four men fighting for survival in the open boat is an allegory for how humanity survives amid a chaotic and morally indifferent natural world. The men must work together rather than in competition to ensure their mutual survival; similarly, individual humans must not rely on the belief that fate will keep them alive, but must cooperate and be kind to cultivate a shared sense of understanding and morality among others.
Shifting Moods (Motif)
The mood on the boat shifts several times throughout the story depending on the conditions the men find themselves in. They begin in despair, but become cheery when they believe their rescue is imminent; then the mood dips into bitterness with the realization that rescue isn't coming. At night, the mood becomes restful, serene and introspective. With morning, the men become determined and point the boat to shore. The shifting moods capture how elements of nature dictate the men's emotions. This motif also speaks to the mutual understanding the men share: their fates are linked, and so too are their emotions.
The Shark (Symbol)
The shark that circles the boat in the middle of the night symbolizes the awe-inspiring terror of nature. The fin is otherworldly as it activates phosphorescence in the water, yet the shark is a violent predator. The correspondent is both intrigued and frightened by the shark. It would be easy for the correspondent to project ill-will onto the shark, but it is impossible to say whether the shark is purposefully stalking the boat or swimming around indifferently.
The Wind-Tower (Symbol)
The wind-tower is a serene object, standing indifferent and steadfast, completely indifferent to whatever is happening around it. Though the windmill is a man-made object, the correspondent understands it to be a symbol of nature's true character. The windmill symbolizes a nature that is not cruel but uncaring and "flatly indifference."
