What I learn from it

Hemingway’s unique style of writing is exemplified through short, concise sentences and a factual approach to the events he portrays. Within the novella, a reader will come across complex themes of strength and perseverance, as well as symbols of perfection and age which are all addressed directly. Having read all of the book, I can’t calm down for a long time. No matter how many years have gone, I could still remember an old man who owns so sheer willpower, reminding me of his amazing experience and encouraging me to overcome difficulties I face now. As we all known, Hemingway is famous for his own writing theory-Iceberg theory. The old man and sea also reflect a lot on it. The most principal explanation of Iceberg Theory is that what we can see is little while most of body is under the sea level. That’s what we call the Iceberg theory for it is similar to iceberg. He uses simple story, hiding profound lesson in it. As for reasons why the story he wrote is convincing, maybe I thought it is because many works are based on his own experience, for example Farewell to Arms is based on his service experience in the Italian campaign during World War I.

This novel begins with Santiago after his regular day, which establishes his character and integrates with his community. It is because the old man had fewer excellent fish-catching experiences than them that those fishermen all looked down upon him, left him alone and isolated him. But the old man had amazingly optimistic attitude towards all the things he faced. He never complained of anything and told something or someone bad. Instead, he always took care of others and shared what he had not only foods but also skills. There is a little boy mentioned in the book, too. He cared the boy a lot, taught him as if he had been his boy. The climax of the book is that the old man overcame the large fish, using every skill he learned and knew and the whole efforts he had. He finally got it and achieved his goal of catching the biggest fish. But unfortunately, the old man couldn’t show off the fish to his friends and families. The fish was snatched away and eaten by the sharks. 

When Santiago having fight with the fish, there are lessons in it. What is human’s status in nature? Is it dominant or submissive? Actually, there are many works of Hemingway showing the principles. Only when a man has been isolated can man find the truth of governing everything in the world. Santiago showed respect for every life including the fish which he was going to kill. He said to the fish ,“you are going to kill me ,and you are fish surely. But you have the rights, too. Come on, guy. I don’t even care which one will be killed at all.” It indicates that he knew the death is unavoidable and respected every life. The only thing we can do to decrease the harshness of the reality is to make friends between people and animals.

Unfortunately, fate always makes fun of Santiago. Santiago is poor. His wife had passed away with no child left. That’s why he cared the boy so much. He is kind and considerate, but fate often gives him some difficult questions to choose from. He loved flying fish the best, but these flying fish never stop for Santiago. He admired and appreciated the big fish very much, but the old man had to defeat and kill them. His willpower is so strong that it even goes beyond ordinary people’s one. And he never gave up and gave in to life. He has always been taking things easy and faced the reality calmly and confidently. That’s what I should learn from and take in.

Santiago hadn’t brought the big fish back to home. When he took marlin home, the fish was attacked by sharks, leaving only bones and heads. Then Santiago reflected on the truth and learned that Man is not born for failure. A man can be destroyed, but not defeated. The relationship between failure, success and pain I sort out is as followed. The old man had suffered a lot, which modern people all regarded as pain. But he himself didn’t consider it as the way of failure but the beginning of success. As long as he had gone through the hard days, he would meet success later. Even his regret for killing marlin had risen to his heart for its results of failure. Things changed when he went back home. One of fishermen who sneered at him before reacted to his achievements unprecedently. Without this separation, the fishermen would not be impressed with him, nor would he achieve the long desired achievements.

I have learned a lot from this book, both the persistence and the bravery of striving for what you want.

2023-01-13

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