Question

laws of nature quiz
english iii academic (part b) pva (acc.ed) (sp26) / beyond realism

1. which quote from \the open boat\ explicitly expresses a theme of naturalism?

in the meantime the oiler rowed, and then the correspondent rowed, and then the oiler rowed. grey-faced and bowed forward, they mechanically, turn by turn, plied the leaden oars.
on the northern horizon a new light appeared, a small bluish gleam on the edge of the waters. these two lights were the furniture of the world.
even as the lighthouse was an upright shadow on the sky, this land seemed but a long black shadow on the sea.
the management of the boat was still most absorbing, but it could not prevent a quiet cheerfulness. in an hour, perhaps they would be ashore.

Explanation:

Naturalism in literature emphasizes humans being subject to impersonal natural forces, with nature indifferent to human struggles. The correct quote depicts the men as mechanical, worn-down figures forced to row against unforgiving nature, directly showing their subjugation to natural conditions. The other options focus on setting or fleeting optimism, not the core naturalist theme of human powerlessness against nature.

Answer:

In the meantime the oiler rowed, and then the correspondent rowed, and then the oiler rowed. Grey-faced and bowed forward, they mechanically, turn by turn, plied the leaden oars.