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My Interpretation of "The Old Man and the Sea"



‘The Old Man and The Sea’ is full of moral lessons. Every success story is a story of failures. Success is not a destination it is a journey.

Attempts are more important than failure. In spite of facing failures in every walk of life, how a person moves on and attempts once more, is shown in very simple and meaningful words through Santiago’s Character by Hemingway in the Text.

Joyful expectation: When Santiago meets failure face to face, when struggling to catch a fish, at that time, Santiago’s soliloquies teach us what to think when we are struggling. He thinks about his good memories of past such as Arm Wrestling (strength), DiMaggio (a symbol of Victory) and dreaming about the Lions (Manliness).

Positivity in Negative Situations: Santiago is a very optimistic character portrayed by Hemingway. He is thinking about the positivity of life even if he is passing through troubles and pains.
“Think about something cheerful, old man,” he said. “Every minute now you are closer to home. You sail lighter for the loss of forty pounds.”

“Now is the time to think of only one thing. That which I was born for.”

“You think too much, old man,” he said aloud.

Respecting the distinguished opponent: a good character quality of a man

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

Fishing for food and not for money: Santiago, the protagonist of the story, is of noble values. The other fishermen fish for money and tries to catch the sharks which give good money but Santiago does not fish for money he fishes for food. It shows high moral values of a person.

Hemingway’s Style of Narration: Hemingway uses the Omniscient Narration Technique instead of the Third Person Narration Technique in The Old Man and The Sea, in which the writer becomes Omniscient such as the Omniscient Narration Technique is used when the old man dreaming about the lions. Eagle Eye Observation, Hamartia (a fatal flow of character), Wound Theory (Struggle of a hero for destiny), character soliloquies and several other themes used by Hemingway makes reading more interesting.

Comments

  1. Parth,
    You have found the jewels from the novella. All these points that you have summarized are proof of your understanding of the text.
    One more point that should have been mentioned here is about the 'ignorance' of lady tourist - which makes us understand the idea that is very well articulated in the Chhappas of Akha - hu karu hu karu ej agnanta shakat no bhaar jem shwaan taane -
    http://www.forsv.com/guju/?p=25

    ReplyDelete
  2. I want to add something in the first paragraph. The initial paragraph runs in each and every page of The Old Man and The Sea. It is equally indispensible that somewhere, facing thirst and thistle while walking on the path may bring small fruit, enough for our whole hardship. That is what the old man does bringing skeleton of Marlin. Whatever he does his Karma, get the fruit albeit it is not valued.

    Overall method of your writing always lies in categorization. It is good that you add the point of Technique used by Hemingway. Keep it up your job now in this blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Each soul is divine. One should find the divinity within. God or Nature or Destiny or The Super Nova Energy; resides in every being. Each soul is like a Sun covered with the clouds of ignorance. But one should understand the layers of those clouds. Krishna calls these clouds as "Maya" (illusion) in Geeta. The Theory of Karma is truly applicable in this context. Like Santiago we should work without expecting the results.

    Thank you...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Parthbhai,

    First of all let me thank you for sending the e-book Of "The Old Man and the Sea"... Though my exams are going on I couldn't control myself reading this novel.... Novel is wonderful and your Interpretation is also Great!!! I can say If I have only read you Interpretation, I would be able to judge that what the whole Novel Want to say....

    Best Regards!!!
    Chirag

    ReplyDelete

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