The Old Man and the Sea is the last complete work published by Ernest Hemingway, a genius author who won both the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in a matter of a couple of years. His novella about an old fisherman named Santiago is an example of the masterful use of symbolism and allegory while keeping the plot simple and clear. The story follows Santiago as he fights a giant marlin, loses all his catch to sharks, and then returns to Cuba. The insights and wisdom scattered throughout the novella make it unique and meaningful for so many readers. Santiago’s journey teaches the importance of perseverance, the value of intelligence rather than strength, and the art of staying positive in the face of hardships and failure.
Defeat is not familiar to the main character of the novella as he challenges himself to keep going after failures and losses. Santiago’s perseverance is a theme that constantly reappears in the story, but it starts with Hemingway’s description of him. His skin is marked by the hostilities of nature, his body is covered in scars, but they remain beautiful because of the struggle in which they were formed. Instead of wasting time complaining and weeping, one can use the resources they have and try to push forward. I have never faced an epic challenge, but perseverance is as important in my daily life as it is in any fictional conquest. When I struggle in school, for example, I find it helpful to remind myself to stay focused and keep moving towards a larger goal.
The Old Man and the Sea demonstrates that knowledge is far more valuable than physical strength. Despite Santiago’s age and low physical prowess, he remains efficient while fishing. His decisions are strategic and resourceful because he is in touch with his surroundings, including the wind and weather patterns, and knows the different movements of the fish. While doing a sport, it is easy to get discouraged because of opponents’ natural talents, but the utilization of strategy and planning is far more important in a competition. I realize that in my life, I have benefitted from the knowledge of psychology in human interactions much more than I would from using my physical strength to simply intimidate people.
It is strange how depression has become a growing trend among young people in recent years. Conversations about mental health are crucial, but my experience shows that people often try to shield themselves from real life and its problems by appearing hurt and unhappy. The novella glorifies the optimism that follows Santiago during his journey. When he finally returns to the Cuban shore with a skeleton of his giant fish devoured by sharks, he is exhausted, but still proud of himself. He earns the respect of the villagers and remembers that there are still other fish in the sea, waiting for him. Life is often unfair, but looking for positives can make a person happy and give them enough motivation to go forward. Even now, during the quarantine, I have decided to focus on reading and self-improvement. It is extremely helpful to stay optimistic and find ways to make the best out of the situation.
The short story The Old Man and the Sea is surprisingly dense when it comes to its insightful teachings on life, hard work, and human dignity. Hemingway manages to craft a narrative that introduces the readers to the concepts of perseverance and optimism, as well as reminds them of the importance of knowledge. Storytelling becomes a powerful tool for readers to understand their struggles and ways of turning them into their biggest accomplishments.