The Old Man and The See by Earnest Hemingway
Why does this story speak so powerfully? Maybe readers are drawn to different aspects it. The most acknowledged theme of the story is the ability of man to be resilient in the face of crisis. Obviously, this is an admirable trait when one lives up to it. The old man in the story is one such person; he goes far out in the sea to catch fish, but he fails himself. Even though he is old and weak, he is dignified, undefeated and unrelenting to his core.
What I admired most about the story is the old man's humanity and simplicity; someone who might not have read books, or studied but he knows how to mold and influence other lives. His young friend feels so deeply responsible towards him, not only because the old man has taught him fishing; he loves him because he has touched the boy in some deep way. It is a kind of touch that does not demand anything in return, it is a touch that tells that one cares and one means good. Once such a bond is established, it stays forever. The old man has probably seen and understood the boy in ways his own parents have not. This young boy goes out of his way to be useful to the old man. One hardly expects such sensitivity and concern from someone so young. Again the boy does not do anything out of a sense of duty, he helps because he loves the old man.
Old man's attitude towards the boy gives us a good idea about him. We see his goodness in the actions of the young boy. Friendship and genuine concern for others is an important theme of the book. There would no story if there is no boy in it. One exists because someone else is there. In the absence of the other, the very notion of self, courage, ethics and so forth lose their significance.
The boy in the story keeps returning to him, even though these visits are no longer useful to him or his family. Although the boy's father sends him with other fishermen, he wants to return to the old man. It shows his deep sense of faith and belongingness toward the old man. Even though the boy claims that he still has to learn many things, these claims are only partially true, he is drawn to the old man in a way child is drawn to his father or a benign adult figure. The old man, while at sea, thinks about the boy.
Apart from the human dimensions of the story, the sea emerges as a powerful character. It is depicted as ruthless and unforgiving, calm and beautiful. It gives away when it wants, and it consumes and devours when it is angry. Patriarchy leaks into the text when the old man suddenly calls the See a 'whore.'The the sea is rebuked when it misbehaves. Whatever attributes the old man assigns to the sea, it reveals his deep-seated prejudices toward the female sex.
Hemingway is known for his short, direct sentences. The reader sees the writer's talents on every page. One can read this story over and over again to understand the craft of writing.
What I admired most about the story is the old man's humanity and simplicity; someone who might not have read books, or studied but he knows how to mold and influence other lives. His young friend feels so deeply responsible towards him, not only because the old man has taught him fishing; he loves him because he has touched the boy in some deep way. It is a kind of touch that does not demand anything in return, it is a touch that tells that one cares and one means good. Once such a bond is established, it stays forever. The old man has probably seen and understood the boy in ways his own parents have not. This young boy goes out of his way to be useful to the old man. One hardly expects such sensitivity and concern from someone so young. Again the boy does not do anything out of a sense of duty, he helps because he loves the old man.
Old man's attitude towards the boy gives us a good idea about him. We see his goodness in the actions of the young boy. Friendship and genuine concern for others is an important theme of the book. There would no story if there is no boy in it. One exists because someone else is there. In the absence of the other, the very notion of self, courage, ethics and so forth lose their significance.
The boy in the story keeps returning to him, even though these visits are no longer useful to him or his family. Although the boy's father sends him with other fishermen, he wants to return to the old man. It shows his deep sense of faith and belongingness toward the old man. Even though the boy claims that he still has to learn many things, these claims are only partially true, he is drawn to the old man in a way child is drawn to his father or a benign adult figure. The old man, while at sea, thinks about the boy.
Apart from the human dimensions of the story, the sea emerges as a powerful character. It is depicted as ruthless and unforgiving, calm and beautiful. It gives away when it wants, and it consumes and devours when it is angry. Patriarchy leaks into the text when the old man suddenly calls the See a 'whore.'The the sea is rebuked when it misbehaves. Whatever attributes the old man assigns to the sea, it reveals his deep-seated prejudices toward the female sex.
Hemingway is known for his short, direct sentences. The reader sees the writer's talents on every page. One can read this story over and over again to understand the craft of writing.
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