Beyond the Limit

“The Old Man and the Sea” was a big success for Ernest Hemingway when it was published in 1952. At first glance, the story is about a fisherman named Santiago, who caught an enormous marlin after months without catching a fish, but unfortunately lost it in the sharks’ attack. However,there's actually much more to the story -- a tale of bravery and heroism, of one man's struggle against his own doubts, the elements, a massive fish, sharks and even his desire to give up. Perhaps, in some degree, the old fisherman is not the final winner. Although he won the battle against the big marlin, his “spoil” was eaten by sharks. All of his efforts were in vain and he left with only the bones. But he never gave up when confronted with challenges like pain and hunger during the “battle”, and always kept confident and positive. He didn’t make compromises with the sea, the marlin and the sharks, so, in my opinion, he’s a winner, a hero, who dare to challenge the drawbacks and limits. “Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Santiago said it, and he made it. During his struggle to catch the big marlin, Santiago held on to the rope -- even though he was cut and bruised by it, even though he was in bad need of sleep and food. He was not as young and strong as before, the lasting battle really pushed his body to limit, but the faith that one cannot be defeated supported him not to release the rope. Moreover, when the sharks came, tore the marlin into pieces and ate the flesh, Santiago didn’t give in. Although his resistance couldn’t make him get rid of the sharks’ attack, he just didn’t lose the hope, instead, mastering all his remain strength to fight against the sharks. Losing the marlin didn’t mean he was defeated, because at least, he never stoped trying to exceed the challenges and limits. In some degree, he succeeded. No one is perfect. It’s quite possible at times, a man can become physically weak or disabled in its certain abilities to perform tasks, just like the old fisherman in the story. But the important thing is that even though if this physical destruction exists, that man cannot be defeated.The meaning of life is to throw down the challenge to our weeknesses and drawbacks, exceed our limits by trying our best. When facing the setbacksand disastersin life,a man mayfail, a man may get hurt, a man may be ruined , a man may be wrecked or shattered...... but a man can never be defeated with the mental status of never letting its inner pride falling down. No matter the result is sucessful or not, people who try bravely to fight against the challenges deserve our respect. And it is these heros that make a different to human progress. “A boat across the end of the world, into the unknown sea, hanging on the bow side while the ravaging denudation are still gorgeous matchless flag, flags, waving yunlong general four words glittering -- beyond the limit!” The author Ernest Hemingway is said of his work. “The Old Man and the Sea” can be a battery, giving you energy when you are undergoing the storm of life, and encourage you to exceed your limits. Hopefully, every reader can be a person who have the faith that the old fisherman Santiago has.