The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway’s short epic book, was published in 1952, being his final work of fiction. On September 1, 1952, the book was addressed to Charlie Scribner and Hemingway’s literary editor Max Perkins, and was subsequently issued in book form and covered by Life magazine.
The cinematic adaptations of The Old Man and the Sea have been made three times: once in 1958 with Spencer Tracy, once in 1990 with Anthony Quinn, and once in 1999 with an animated short film. In 2007, Donald Sutherland’s portrayal in the audio version was nominated for an Audie Award for Best Male Narrator. It was also the idea for the 2012 Kazakhstani film.
The Old Man replaced the fisherman with a shepherd attempting to defend his sheep from wolves. It is frequently taught in high schools as part of the literary curriculum in the United States. Saddam Hussein allegedly enjoyed the book.
Ernest Hemingway was a highly influential American writer who is often considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century. He was born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, and began his writing career as a journalist for the Kansas City Star newspaper in 1917.
Hemingway’s first book, “Three Stories and Ten Poems,” was published in 1923, and he gained widespread acclaim with his 1926 novel, “The Sun Also Rises,” which is widely considered one of his most important works. Hemingway’s spare and direct writing style, which emphasized clarity and simplicity, was a departure from the ornate and flowery prose that was popular in the early 20th century.
Throughout his career, Hemingway continued to produce novels, short stories, and nonfiction works, many of which explored themes such as war, love, and the human condition. Some of his other notable works include “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1940), and “The Old Man and the Sea” (1952), which won the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature. Hemingway’s writing career spanned several decades, and his influence on American literature and culture cannot be overstated.
His work has been translated into dozens of languages and has inspired countless writers and artists. Despite struggling with depression and alcoholism throughout his life, Hemingway continued to write and create
until his death in 1961.
The story is based on an old fisherman named Santiago who engages in a titanic battle to catch a gigantic marlin. He was unable to catch any fish for over 84 days. He was assisted in the early 40 days by a little kid named Manolin whose parents eventually refused to allow the youngster to continue fishing with the old man because they deemed him an unfortunate fisher.
The child went to another boat and caught three large fish in the first week of his membership, whilst the elderly guy had yet to catch a single fish. The youngster kept running into Santiago, and they used to have
conversations about their interests such as baseball.
The man was mocked by many people for not being able to catch even a single fish yet but that did not impact the old man. He still had hopes to achieve this and told the boy that he planned to venture far into the Gulf Sea in order to accomplish this.
On the 85th day, he went there but could not find any fish for two days. However, on the third day a heavy, large fish caught his harpoon and he finally reeled it. But this was not the end. Simultaneously, sharks kept attacking his boat while returning home. He tried defending during which he got severe wounds but he did not give up.
He lost almost a large part of his fish due to this attack but still, he was satisfied that he caught it. Santiago was exhausted so he slept immediately after he reached the harbour. Meanwhile, other fishermen were
awestruck by the size of the fish caught by the old man and the young boy even cried seeing the man sleeping, fearing that he had been killed by the large fish appearing as a shark.
Many of the themes that troubled Hemingway as a writer and as a man are explored in The Old Man and the Sea. The first pages use a remarkable economy of language to portray the rhythms of life in a Cuban fishing town. The fisherman Santiago’s stripped-down existence is created in a sparse, basic manner that is as dismissive as a shrug of the old man’s muscular shoulders.
Santiago understands that he must paddle “beyond all humanity,” away from land and into the Gulf Stream, where one final drama emerges the climax in an empty stage of ocean and sky. The author has portrayed the ability of the man to prove his worth in the face of challenges and opposition from his fate.
Even the old man finally catches the big marlin, he is shown to have struggles working with his bleeding hands, bearing all the pain till he achieves his goal of bringing the marlin near to the harpoon.
The story’s intrinsic physicality—the odors of tar and salt and fish blood, the old man’s anguish and nausea and blind fatigue, the terrifying death convulsions of the gigantic fish—is juxtaposed with the ethereal characteristics of glittering light and water, isolation, and the rising motion of the sea.
The novel places many characters that can be clubbed into three major protagonists. The old man, namely Santiago, the young boy, named Manolin, and the other people consisting of the parents and nearby fishermen.
Santiago is a distinctive individualistic personality who does not care to think about how other people perceive him. He is not in favor of engaging in any communication with others, especially while fishing. He concentrates more on self-communication rather than relying on anyone else.
This is evident from the following lines from the novella: “He had probably started to talk aloud when alone when the boy had left. But he did not remember. When he and the boy fished together, they usually spoke only when it was necessary”. (Hemingway: 1954: 10). Santiago is also an epitome of passion, willpower, and determination as shown by his conduct and will to achieve even after subsequent failures.
The place setting of the novel is the harbor and the sea. The words have been woven in such a beautiful manner that it allows readers to imagine themselves as being on the harbor.
The time setting has not been clearly mentioned in the novel, however can be guessed through their conversation about the baseball player, Joe Dimaggio who was an actual player around the 1950s. Hence, the novel was set in the modern era. The social setting of the movie comprises the relationships that exist between Santiago and the Manolin on the one hand and Santiago and other people on the other hand.
Here, the strong bond of friendship is contrasted with the demeaning behavior of other people with Santiago who tried pushing him down during his hard times. Manolin and Santiago, despite being separated during work managed to retain their bond which is characterized by empathy, love, and care.
This is evident from instances like the boy’s wish to stay with Santiago or when the boy cries seeing the old man sleeping and remembering all his struggles. On the other hand, the parents of the boy and other fishermen looked down upon Santiago for not making profits.
Santiago has both inner and external conflicts which are one of the important elements on which the novella is built. These are his conflicts first within himself between his deepest desire to achieve his fishing feat and the weakness of giving up after so many failures. The other conflicts arose from his relationship with society which tried to demotivate him and mocked him about which he did not bother to care in the presence of an old man.
Hence, the novella is a masterwork of short and evocative language that exemplifies Hemingway’s unique style of understated yet strong prose. The novella examines themes of resolve, endurance, and fight against the natural world via Santiago’s journey.
With his stoic resilience and calm dignity in the face of enormous obstacles, Santiago is a riveting and likable figure. His portrayal by Hemingway is an homage to the human spirit and the individual’s fortitude in the face of hardship.
The detailed descriptions of the sea and its animals in the novella are both beautiful and frightening, portraying the natural world’s majesty and violence. The sharks that attack Santiago’s catch are portrayed as ruthless and indifferent, a reminder of the harshness of life and the inevitability of death.
The Old Man and the Sea is a narrative about man’s fight against nature and his own limitations. Hemingway’s writing style is plain and direct, with short, concise words that mirror the protagonist’s austere nature.
The work delves into issues such as bravery, tenacity, and the inevitability of failure. The narrative is also a meditation on the human condition and the value of human life, as Santiago shows respect for the marlin even as he battles to kill it.
Also Read: Book Review: The Pearl That Broke Its Shell.
The Old Man and the Sea is widely regarded as one of Hemingway’s best works, and it earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. The tale concludes with Santiago sleeping quietly and dreaming about lions on the beach.
The theme of The Old Man and the Sea further revolves around perseverance, pride, and the human condition. The story illustrates how an individual can face enormous challenges, both physical and mental, and persist in their quest to achieve their goals.
The novel demonstrates how pride and determination can drive a person to fight against seemingly insurmountable odds. The narrative also delves into the human condition, specifically how people may find purpose in their lives despite adversity.
The protagonist, Santiago, has lost a lot in his life, including his wife and his cherished fishing buddy. He lives in poverty and strives to make ends meet. His quest for the giant marlin, on the other hand, gives him meaning and purpose.
Furthermore, the story investigates the interaction between humans and nature. Santiago’s battle with the marlin is more than simply a physical confrontation; it is a metaphor for the struggle between mankind and natural forces. Santiago acquires a greater respect for the natural world’s strength and beauty as a result of his ordeal.
Another recurring subject throughout the novel is the concept of experience and expertise. Santiago is an experienced fisherman, and his knowledge of the water is what allows him to survive his tragedy. The narrative implies that experience and expertise are necessary for conquering life’s problems and may be a source of pride and fulfillment.
Eventually, the narrative addresses the theme of loneliness. Santiago is a solitary person who leads an essential existence with just his thoughts and memories to keep him company. The narrative emphasizes the solitude that can accompany aging as well as the significance of having meaning and purpose in life, especially when faced with adversity.
“The Old Man and the Sea’s” ending is notable because it embodies the spirit of the narrative and the issues that the author, Ernest Hemingway, was attempting to express. Santiago, the protagonist, is coming to the shore after a lengthy and tiring struggle with a large marlin in the novella’s concluding moments.
Sharks have devoured the fish, leaving Santiago with just its skeleton remnants. Despite his defeat, Santiago emerges victorious, having demonstrated his strength and tenacity in the face of water and nature’s difficulties.
The story’s climax is significant because it underlines the concepts of tenacity, endurance, and resolve. Santiago’s struggle with the marlin and the sharks represents the struggle of humankind with nature and the
challenges of life.
Santiago’s resilience and determination to persevere in the face of adversity, even when everything seems to be against him, is a reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome and endure.
Moreover, the ending of “The Old Man and the Sea” also speaks to the theme of humility. Santiago’s humility in accepting his defeat and acknowledging the power of nature over him is an essential element of his character. His humility is not a sign of weakness but rather a recognition of the limits of human power and the need to respect nature.
Finally, the ending of “The Old Man and the Sea” is significant because it encapsulates the novella’s fundamental themes of patience, endurance, resolve, and humility. It is a reminder of the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and accept our own limits in the face of the natural world’s might.
Not only is “The Old Man and the Sea” a remarkable piece of writing, but it is also a very short and easy read, making it an excellent choice for individuals who may be intimidated by more prominent books. Therefore, I highly recommend reading it.
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Authored by Suhani Sharma, a 2nd year Student at National Law University Odisha.