Final answer:
In 'The Open Boat' by Stephen Crane, the protagonist Pi initially hopes to be rescued by a ship. However, he later reflects on the uncertainty of his situation and concludes that rescue may depend on luck and fate.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel 'The Open Boat' by Stephen Crane, the main character Pi is initially hopeful about being rescued by a ship. However, as the story progresses, Pi reflects on the uncertainty and randomness of his situation and realizes that his ultimate rescue may not depend on a ship. Instead, he concludes that being saved from the perils of the sea is a matter of luck and fate. The captain's desperate calls for him to come to the boat signify Pi's last glimmer of hope for rescue, but the final conclusion is left open as the narrative ends ambiguously.