Success or Failure
Santiago: A Success or a F ailure？
The Old Man and the Sea is one of the most famous novels around the world. It concentrates on the three-day voyage of the old fisherman Santiago, one of the representatives of “ Code Man ” by Hemingway, catching the Marlin Fish with a series of struggles against the nature. Finally, the big fish was caught by Santiago, but eaten by the sharks, only with its bones left .
However, the ending arouses these question: Is Santiago a success or a failure? Is his efforts worthy? Opinions vary from person to person. In my opinion, Santiago is a failure indeed, but his efforts are meaningful. The following paragraphs can support my statement.
First of all, Santiago fails because he didn ’ t win the Marlin Fish completely. In the 84 days of fishing, he didn ’ t even get one fish, which can be considered as a behavior of failure.
Then, the next day he voyaged to the sea in the aim of proving his ability. In the three-day voyage, he tried his best to catch the Marlin Fish, even when faced with groups of sharks and nearly in danger. Eventually, he failed to defeat the sharks and only get the bones. So his aim at the beginning--to get the Marlin Fish, was not completed.
In addition, he fails to improve his life. All his efforts didn ’ t bring him some profits, i.e, his life didn ’ t be promoted in essence. His life never changed: He was still poor and didn ’ t have food to eat, a place to live in and a family to rely on. He was still an old, lonely fisherman, with only the company of the boy.
The bones he brought back to the village only showed his struggle in the sea, against the nature. People would sometimes mention his efforts, but only to consider them as a topic to talk.
Last, he fails because of the limits of his fate. In the three days, he was exhausted, and the environment was extremely bad. In the novel, we can read the sentence like “ The old man ’ s mind was clear and good now and he was full of resolution but he had little hope ” .
It is impossible to fight against one's own destiny with one's own strength. If a person unfortunately encounters a cruel fate, no matter how painful the fate is, he has no choice but to accept it. Because this is his destiny, he can't avoid it, and others can't help.
Just as Santiago said in the story, “ But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated. ” Santiago was defeated by the fate, or the desire to defeating Marlin Fish completely. But he was not destroyed because he tried his best to get close to his goal.
“There is only one heroism in the world: to see the world as it is and to love it.” Romain Rolland said. Santiago ’ s never-give-up spirit is worth admiring. He was still lonely, poor and no house, no family. However, he still fought for his goal even he knew that it was impossible, which makes his efforts greatly meaningful.
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