The Dangerous Yet Rewarding Road to Success as a Fisherman in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
The road to success as a fisherman, though it can be dangerous, is immensely rewarding, especially after coming through victorious despite many difficulties along the way. Often, it is a tragic mistake for parents to shield their children from the reality of the natural world, when there is so much one can learn through experiencing it firsthand. In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist, Santiago is a seasoned fisherman who is really down on his luck, and because of this, Manolin, a little boy who often accompanies Santiago on his fishing trips, is not permitted to go any longer. Through hardship and the opportunity to observe nature, there is so very much that Santiago has learned about the ocean on his adventures as a fisherman.
There is no reason Manolin should not be able to fish with Santiago simply because the old man is unlucky; the reality is that the risks of fishing are well worth being in the presence of Santiago because of the man’s rock-ribbed sense of determination, and his profound understanding of nature and its wonders. Santiago’s solidly unflagging and determined attitude enables him to overcome adversity by putting his suffering after what is important, and that is making a living by landing fish. On the eighty-fifth day of no fish caught, incredibly, he manages to hook a colossal 1500 pound marlin but it starts to pull him away for days on end. Despite his helpless situation, Santiago vows solemnly, “ ‘l’ll stay with you until I am dead’ ”. Santiago has set his eyes on his target: the marlin and it is evident from the start that the old man will do everything he can to pull this fish in, The old man wills to stay with the marlin until he is dead. The word “will” implies a much more rock-hard sense of resolve
than “might”, “try to" or “hope for”. Santiago is truly bent on bringing this fish home. The incredible sense of achievement that washes over the old man when he finally does land the beast makes all of his pain and suffering worth it, Just like in the human world, if you have something of value, malevolent people try to snatch it from you. Not long after the old man finishes lashing the fish on the side of his skiff, sharks swarm his boat threatening to steal his prize from him. Never does he give up fighting off the predators, though: “He hit it [the shark] with his blood mushed hands driving a good harpoon with all his strength. He hit it without hope but with resolution and complete malignancy. Santiago‘s hands are cut up and burning like fire, and the old man has to dig deep to find the strength to fend of the fiendish predators.
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At that point, he knows that nature will win and more importantly, that it always wins. Despite this acceptance of the stark reality that he would return with no fish, the old man still fights for his prize Santiago’s respectful understanding of nature and its wonders allows him to, in turn, live his life better. Throughout his trying journey at sea, he remains respectful towards all creatures that he encounters, especially the marlin, He respects what the fish is going through even as Santiago deals with his own pain. “ ‘The fish is my friend too,’ he said aloud. ‘l have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars.
The old man calls the fish his “friend“ because of the respectful relationship that Santiago has with the marlin. Because of his great size and wondrous grace, Santiago has come to hold the marlin in high respect. Manolin would develop healthily and happily under the guidance of Santiago because of the old man’s iron-willed determination and his acute ability to understand nature, and consequently respect it Manoiin’s parents may think that a good fisherman is made by how many fish he comes home with, but the reality is that a man with the moral fiber of Santiago should deserve the most respect of all.
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The Dangerous Yet Rewarding Road to Success as a Fisherman in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. (2023, Apr 24). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-dangerous-yet-rewarding-road-to-success-as-a-fisherman-in-the-old-man-and-the-sea-by-ernest-hemingway/
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