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The wind tower symbolizes nature’s power over—and indifference toward—humankind. The correspondent says so directly, calling the tower a “giant standing with its back to the plight of the ants.” By emphasizing the wind tower’s size in comparison to humans, the correspondent draws attention to humankind’s insignificance in the face of nature’s vastness and power. In addition, the wind tower also symbolizes desperation. The correspondent wonders if anyone ever climbs the tall wind tower as if it were a lighthouse and looks out at the sea. The correspondent hopes that this might be the case despite its unlikeliness, wanting to believe that the men have a greater chance of being seen and saved. In this way, the wind tower also symbolizes the resilience (and the naivety) of human hope—which often endures against all odds in the face of nature’s overwhelming power and indifference.
Wind tower Quotes in The Open Boat
The The Open Boat quotes below all refer to the symbol of Wind tower. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part VII Quotes
A man in this situation […] should see the innumerable flaws of his life, and have them taste wickedly in his mind and wish for another chance. A distinction between right and wrong seems absurdly clear to him […] and he understands that if he were given another opportunity he would mend his conduct and his words, and be better and brighter during an introduction or at a tea.
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Explanation and Analysis:
The narrator is explaining that, when a man finally comes to understand that nature is indifferent to him, he may feel the urge to relive his entire life. This passage is curious because the tone and content seem to be in conflict with one another. The tone of the passage is serious, even grave, as it recounts the way a newfound understanding of the universe’s lack of concern for humankind may make a man “see the innumerable flaws of his life,” “taste [them] wickedly,” and wish for a second chance at life. However, rather than using this second chance at Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. E
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Wind tower Symbol Timeline in The Open Boat
The timeline below shows where the symbol Wind tower appears in The Open Boat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part VII
...for too much longer, they will waste all their strength. The correspondent looks at a wind tower on the shore and wonders whether anyone ever climbs it and looks out at the...
(full context)
