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A man can be destroyed but not defeated

Uploaded by amany kamal on May 26, 2006

[color=violet:4f7de18fd9][i:4f7de18fd9][size=24:4f7de18fd9]A man can be destroyed, but not defeated[/size:4f7de18fd9]"[/i:4f7de18fd9][/color:4f7de18fd9]

[size=18:4f7de18fd9][i:4f7de18fd9][color=black:4f7de18fd9]The Old Man and the Sea is a tale about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of an outstanding theme: ''A man can be destroyed, but not defeated,'' The Old Man and the Sea" strives to teach important
life lessons to the reader. In the story Santiago's bravery is supreme, yet it is not until he hooks the "great fish" that we truly see his courage and persistence.

At first, Santiago's dilemma seems quite hopeless. He has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish, and he is the butt of all the jokes of his small village people, who nicknamed him 'salao 'or 'desafortunado' since he did not catch any fish for a long period.

Nonetheless, he gave their insulting words a cold shoulder and went on fishing, relying only on God. Moreover, reading Hemingway's words about his hero in which he says: '' every thing about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated'' P.6, highlights the notion that Santiago was triumphant and victorious. Metaphorically speaking, if someone's eyes are glimmering and are bright, this means that he is having a strong well and persistence regardless of how much his body seems pale or tired, which is typical to Santiago's case.

Although Santiago has had many troubles he keeps on. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself. This is perhaps his greatest attribute because without it he would never have had the strength to persevere and defeat the giant sharks.

Some might argue and say that he was defeated as he is the one who said: 'they beat me Manolin they truly beat me' P. 112. However, I respond to them by saying: It is the physical defeat that the old man is being ill with and is suffering of, but as far as his faith, spirit, and persistence are concerned he is still well-built and is willing to fight more and more and he is the one who said, I argue, 'fight them' I'll fight them until I die' P. 104. In addition, he is the one who said ' It is silly not to hope, besides I believe it is a sin'' P. 94
De hecho, I see that we...

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Uploaded by:   amany kamal

Date:   05/26/2006

Category:   Literature

Length:   3 pages (699 words)

Views:   19649

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