How is “the open boat” structured? how does this structure affect the pacing of the text?

In "The Open Boat," we learn about the struggles of four men who end up in a lifeboat after their ship sinks. The way the story progresses allows us to learn about each man, although we are only allowed full access into the mind of the correspondent. However, through his thoughts and observations, we learn much about what the characters think of life, and more importantly, of death. The setting does not change significantly, nor do the characters. Therefore, the pacing of the text is simply determined by the path that the thoughts and actions of the characters, and in particular those of the correspondent, follow. When the narrator think of the universe, and the indifference it shows to humans, the pacing becomes faster. Similarly, the pacing becomes slower when the narrator is more content with his life. The pacing of the poem contributes to the development of its meaning.

overnment is strong when they have the ability to persuade those they govern to believe government has enough power to force them or should be forcing them to do government’s will.

when enough of the citizenry do not believe government can force them or should force them to do its bidding, government has lost or will lose its strength and power to coerce.

when enough of the citizenry do believe government can force or should force them to do its bidding, they become passive at the least or actively pro-government and repeat government’s own rhetoric to pass on what they have been persuaded by government’s propaganda.

a true majority isn’t always needed to govern or to stop government. many times all that is needed is a strong minority. if a determined 30% of the population rises up against government in a concerted effort to bring it down, this size minority usually will succeed as long as those actively opposing the minority are less in force than the minority. so if 41% of the population sits at home watching tv rooting for one side or the other, they don’t matter. it’s the active parties who make a difference.