"This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants. It represented in a degree, to the correspondent, the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual...She did not seem cruel to him then, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise. But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent. It is, perhaps, plausible that a man in this situation, impressed with the unconcern of the universe, should see the innumerable flaws of his life, and have them taste wickedly in his mind, and wish for another chance. A distinction between right and wrong seems absurdly clear to him, then, in this new ignorance of the grave-edge, and he understand that if he were given another opportunity he would mend his conduct and his words, and be better and brighter during an introduction or at a tea" (Crane, 352).

This is a passage I marked in my book and found to be the best and most important. That is to say, I got the most out of it. I think it is the most direct attempt by Crane to voice his thoughts directly to the reader, in a manner that is straightforward and true.

This tower can be interpreted as representing nature or some all-powerful being or God, which is an embodiment of nature. Nature is refered to as "She," and most importantly is niether cruel nor wise, but "flatly indifferent." Looking at it this way, it is as if no one cares. The God of nature does not care. The correspondent, or Crane, however you wish to look at it, then states that in this situation, a man should want to be a better person.

At first this assertion made sense to me, but now I'm not sure I understand why, "the unconcern of the universe," the Gods, and nature, should make you want to be a better person. If anything why wouldn't it make you not care as well? If you are a mere ant to the Gods, or whomever, wouldn't this make you angry? It is sad to think they do not care about us at all, and that they would discard us, or let us die so easily.

On the other hand, maybe because the correspondent is face to face with death, or close to it, he is looking back on his life--a life that could have been better. I understand this making someone want to change and be a better person.