Crane- "The Open Boat"

This story is about men stranded on a dingy in open water. They can not do much to be saved except row a little and try not to tip over. They see a man on a beach and hope to be saved but the man does not do anything. then after the boat capsizes the correspondent, cook and captain wash up on shore to find the man but the oiler does not survive. These men are helpless in the water, which symbolizes the universe. The man symbolizes God because he sees the helpless men and does not go out and try to save them but just watches. Crane's naturalistic views are clearly seem by the men's helpless and God and the universes lack of compliance.  


Cranes Naturalistic views have similar characteristics with Existentialism. Existentialists focus on the individual, that they alone have the power to give their life meaning. Crane views man in the same light; God and the universe do not care about you so it is up to you to do something with this terrible life you have. I think Naturalists could have gotten some of their views from previous Existentialists.


Why does the oiler die?