The Old Man and The Sea, Ernest Hemingway.

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borussiakr
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The Old Man and The Sea, Ernest Hemingway.

Post by borussiakr »

Hi guys,

I recently finished reading The Old Man and The Sea and was a little disappointed that I didn't like the story. Maybe I had high expectations or I didn't really understand the message he wanted to get across.

Well, I would like to know why you consider it a classic and important points that you would highlight in the book - if you have read it.

Note: I plan to read it again more calmly in a while ;)
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DATo
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Post by DATo »

@borussiakr

I am really sorry that you didn't like this story. Those of us that do like it usually love it. If you are a young person it may be that you simply require more experience with life. I don't mean this in an insulting way, but sometimes you just have to have more years under your belt to understand some things. I have read books much later in life that I simply couldn't connect with when I was younger, but in later years the messages told in those stories resonated greatly with me.

MY TAKE FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH: (spoilers)

Santiago, is the "old man", but of course he wasn't always old. When he was young he was a very strong and tough guy. He now no longer has that strength. His body will not allow him to do the things he once did. But there is another kind of strength: the strength of character and nobility that age cannot conquer. He recalls the epic arm wrestling match he was in when he was young and virile which he won and all of the years he spent as a very successful fisherman with great experience of his craft and the sea.

The young boy, Manolin, also works on fishing boats. His parents make him work on another boat because Santiago is "unlucky" and has not been bringing in any fish, therefore one must assume Manolin's pay is commensurate with the "luck" of the boat he is working on. But Manolin loves the old man and does his best to look out for him.

The old man lands an enormous marlin, but is unable to get it to shore before it is eaten by sharks. Once again the old man's luck has failed; however, he did managed to catch the fish and then the people of the village see the enormity of it when he returns as a result of what is left of it and stand in awe of the accomplishment, but it is obvious that Santiago will get no money for all the suffering he endured to bring back the marlin. Santiago was defeated in his effort, but during the events that led to that defeat he displayed courage, tenacity and greatness of heart. Now we must ask, was this really defeat, or was it an unparalleled display of nobility of spirit and in fact a pyrrhic victory?

Manolin escorts him to his home where the boy weeps for him, perhaps because he is the only one who recognizes that the skeleton of the marlin that remains is a symbol of Santiago's true nobility despite the fact that Santiago can no longer fend for himself.

Santiago sleeps and dreams of the lions he saw many many years ago sunning themselves on a beach- lions which are a symbol of the man he used to be.

I think it was Hemingway who once said something that could be descriptive of Santiago's character ...

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. The man whose face is covered with dust, and sweat, and blood: who, if he wins, realizes the thrill of high achievement; and if he fails, fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

/
“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”
― Steven Wright
Raey Kartel
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Post by Raey Kartel »

nice story
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Post by revathy sw »

I recently read it for the second time. I agree with you; the first time I read it, I wasn't able to appreciate it as much. However, the second time around, I loved it.
One thing that helped me more the second time was I visualized the story more in my mind's eye. Hemingway's writing is rich, descriptive and evocative, so this was no trouble. Imagining the lonely skiff of Santiago being dragged across the vast sea by a fish is kind of terrifying and awe-inspiring. I imagined Santiago's pain, loneliness and his desperation to finally catch a fish, something he has not been able to do for 84 days. Reading about all the wounds that he received while trying to catch the marlin and his mind-numbing exhaustion by the end is truly touching.

The great thing about this book was that it taught me much about the lives of fisherman and how helpless they truly are before nature.
Trying to find the numerous themes and motifs of the book was another way for me to keep constantly engaged.

I agree this novella is not an easy read, but it also isn't a boring one. I definitely think that you should give it another chance.
Just an average book-lover bumbling through life :tiphat:
Andrew Darlington
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Post by Andrew Darlington »

I haven't read this book yet. I will leave a proper comment when i do.
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