The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea is the ultimate proof of the power of words. In sober and concise language, Hemingway takes us along with Cuban fisherman Santiago, as he navigates the ocean and the caprices of Mother Nature. Despite his vast experience in the art of fishing, it has been eighty-four days since Santiago last caught a fish. His fellow fishermen have started to call him “salao”, miserably ill-fated, and his young companion Manolin was compelled by his parents to leave him for a boat with better fortune. Yet as we follow Santiago on yet another try of his luck, he finally manages to hook a fish. And not just a fish, but a giant marlin! Unquestionably the biggest catch of his life.
What follows is an epic struggle between an old man and the ocean, which earned Hemingway the Nobel prize of Literature in 1954. In his endeavour to overpower the fish and defend his prey against the sharks, Santiago displays both an admirable strength of character and a touching sobriety. His determination to succeed is unshakeable. Although his old body is being tormented by hunger and fatigue, he simply refuses to give in, as articulated in his famous realization that “a man can be destroyed, but not defeated.” What renders his endless fighting spirit even more inspiring, is the fact that the old man is a simple, relatable character. He is a passionate baseball fan and worships player Joe DiMaggio as an almost divine figure. In addition, Santiago displays a touching humbleness regarding his place in the greater cosmos. During his battle with the marlin, he expresses feelings of respect for his prey and even thinks of the fish as his friend. He also poses himself philosophical questions on the ethics of his actions and wonders what separates him from the sharks that he tries to fight off so desperately.
The Old Man and the Sea may just be a story of a man and a fish, but hidden underneath the surface are powerful life lessons that resonate long after completion of the final sentence. Whether you’re trying to catch a fish or pursuing any other goal, a glance at the world through the eyes of Santiago can work miracles.