The Relentless 'Old Man' and 'The Sea'

Hello Everyone,

The leaders of the Library Committee have come up with an interesting idea of the "Monthly Bookshelf," where we read a specific book every month and then review it. This month's book is "The Old Man and The Sea", a novella written by Ernest Hemingway. In this blog post, I will review this book.

The first significant thing about "The Old Man and The Sea" is that it is not a very lengthy book, you can complete it in just a single sitting. The novella narrates the story of an old man named Santiago and his deep voyages into the sea to capture fish. The language is typical of Hemingway's style—clear, lucid, and to the point. The description of the old man and his hut is captivating, allowing us to visualize the entire scene in our minds. The novella will keep you engaged until the very end.

The story is not simply about an old man capturing fish,  it is a tale of perseverance, hope, desire, and an unyielding attitude. Throughout the novella, there are references to Santiago's younger days when he was full of energy and seemed blessed with a winner's mindset. Santiago's sea expeditions are usually accompanied by a young boy named Manolin. However, it has been a long time since Santiago last caught a big fish. On one fateful day, despite Manolin's wish to join him, Santiago ventures into the sea alone.

“But man is not made for defeat, a man can be destroyed but not defeated”

This famous quote from the book sums up a significant portion of the story and highlights the inner conflict in Santiago's mind as he stays at sea for several days after capturing the giant marlin. During those three days, we gain a clear understanding of Santiago’s character and his attitude. The old man and the giant marlin serve as metaphors, connecting to our own lives. We are the old men of our lives, and our day-to-day problems are the giant marlin—whether big or small. Our attitude toward these problems and our lives defines us and distinguishes us from others.

The moment Santiago captures the marlin, and what follows afterward, is the most enthralling part of the story. Although Santiago loves being a sea hunter, he is not a ruthless killer of fish and sharks, despite having to brutally attack sharks several times. Santiago is more of an artistic killer, seeing the act of killing as a duel or a competition.

“Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.”

Santiago considers the marlin his brother and feels a deep sense of melancholy after each shark attack on the marlin. When the fish was struck, it was as though Santiago himself had been hit. The marlin was not just a fish, it was a partner and companion to Santiago.

A few references to Spanish words may confuse you during reading, and also refer to some vocabulary related to sea voyages and the tools used in fishing. I hope this review would inspire you to read this amazing book.

Thank you.