Narrate Old Man's struggle in Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea.
Human
beings, since their early days of existence have searched for meaning and
spirituality. They have each in their own ways attempted to expose the meaning
of life and other questions so often asked. In doing this, they have also
searched for individuality and individual essence. No matter how contrary this
sounds regarding the human the need to live in groups and communities for the
sake of safety, it must be also asserted that individuality has always been
desired by many. Speaking of individuality, individuals of various ages attempt
to express their uniqueness. When they do so, they come to rely on it, as
though it is a vital source for their existence. When they are without it, they
are at a loss, and this feeling of loneliness and powerlessness is one of the
major things that can destroy a person internally. Earnest Hemingway’s ‘The Old
Man and the Sea’ demonstrates this notion, as Hemingway exposes the manner in
which an individual may struggle to unimaginable lengths in order to prove his
worth in the public eye (Brenner, 1991, 15-23).
‘The Old
Man and the Sea’ is one of Hemingway’s best stories because it proved what
people thought of Hemingway. In the years following the World War II many
critics commented that Hemingway's best writings years are over. Hemingway
proved the critics wrong by writing ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, which is about a
poor Cuban fisherman's struggle to land a great fish. It is in this story that
Hemingway portrays the story of an old man who is on the verge of death,
looking back in his life and having regrets (Brenner, 1991, 25-31).
With no
one by his side at the age he is at, he does not think like other people.
Though he is old and does accept the fact that he is old, he acknowledges that
he should prove himself to everyone and retain the position he always had. The
protagonist in this story knew he was old and that he did not have the strength
that he had in his younger days; he was well aware that he was quite helpless
without anyone by his side. However, he did not let these things tie him down
(Nelson, 1984, 22-30).
Though he
was not the same fisherman he was many years ago, Santiago still decides to go
on with his work, knowing full well the risks ahead in doing so. In addition to
the risks, the job was tedious as it always was, and “four hours later the
fish was still swimming steadily out to sea, towing the skiff, and the old man
was still braced solidly with the line across his back” (45). Such
steadfastness is rare in an old man, but for Santiago it must be noted that he
led a hard life, and worked hard, enabling him to gain the resistance that is
on his side here (Brenner, 1991, 32-33).
