How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The birds sat comfortably in groups, and they were envied by some in the dingy, for the wrath of the sea was no more to them than it was to a covey of prairie chickens a thousand miles inland. (2.10)
The men are in the boat and seagulls sit in the waves surrounding them. If this were the Man and the Natural World section, we might point out the happy relationship between the birds and the tumultuous sea, and argue that the men in the boat are a little jealous of their happy calm (not to mention that, as birds, they easily and naturally float in water). But it isn't, so instead we'll point out that this is the first time Crane mentions community, or the idea that things are easier and nicer when one has other people to work with and rely on.
Quote #2
It would be difficult to describe the subtle brotherhood of men that was here established on the seas. No one said that it was so. No one mentioned it. But it dwelt in the boat, and each man felt it warm him. They were a captain, an oiler, a cook, and a correspondent, and they were friends, friends in a more curiously iron-bound degree than may be common. The hurt captain, lying against the water-jar in the bow, spoke always in a low voice and calmly, but he could never command a more ready and swiftly obedient crew than the motley three of the dingey. It was more than a mere recognition of what was best for the common safety. There was surely in it a quality that was personal and heartfelt. And after this devotion to the commander of the boat there was this comradeship that the correspondent, for instance, who had been taught to be cynical of men, knew even at the time was the best experience of his life. But no one said that it was so. No one mentioned it. (3.1)
Man, this paragraph is so sweet that it almost makes us cry. We love how the feeling of brotherhood is described as "warm[ing]" to the men, and how they're too shy or macho to talk about it. We love how the men are both united in their devotion to their captain, and united in their equality as a team. We also really love how this feeling overwhelms the correspondent's lifelong cynicism, making him feel this might be the best experience of his life. Who would've thought?
Quote #3
He mentioned to the boat in general how the amusement of rowing struck him, and the weary-faced oiler smiled in full sympathy. Previously to the foundering, by the way, the oiler had worked double-watch in the engine-room of the ship. (3.8)
The correspondent likes to talk. We wouldn't go so far as to call him a chatterbox, but he is definitely looking to make conversation more often than the others. Even his "name," the correspondent, makes us think that he's a bookish type, and maybe not the toughest guy in the world. The oiler, on the other hand, sounds very tough indeed. Even his name alone gives us the feeling he's big, strong, and gruff. Oh, and "by the way," he'd been working his butt off on the ship before it sunk, and hasn't slept in days. Nevertheless, he connects with what the correspondent says to him, and gives him a genuine smile, as if to say, "I was just thinking the exact same thing."