Question

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

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.

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.

even as the lighthouse was an upright shadow on the sky, this land seemed but a long black shadow on the sea.

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.

Explanation:

Naturalism in literature emphasizes humanity's insignificance against an indifferent, vast natural world, framing humans as small and powerless in the face of nature's scale. The quote "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" reduces the men's entire perceived world to just two small lights, highlighting their tiny, marginal place within an immense, uncaring natural environment, which directly aligns with naturalist themes. The other quotes focus on the men's mood, physical exertion, or a neutral description of land, not the core naturalist idea of human insignificance against nature.

Answer:

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.