Book Review: The Old Man and the Sea

Considered as one of the most popular works of American fiction, Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is a morally uplifting novella that deals with courage in times of defeat and despair and yet for all the philosophy, it is simple, profound and very touching. The straight-forward and uncomplicated premise tells the story of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, who has been deemed salao or unlucky by his fellow fishermen for coming home empty-handed without catching any fish for 84 days. As a result Manolin, a young lad who accompanies him on his fishing expeditions, is forced to join others after his parents forbid him to sail with him.

The Old Man
and the Sea

On the eighty-fifth day however, Santiago vows to return with a big catch and ventures far into the Gulf Stream to end his run of bad luck. Soon later in the day, a giant marlin is caught in his bait. But unfortunately for the old man, the fish begins to pull his skiff and carries him along with it. Lacking the physical strength himself and unable to pull the marlin out, he bears the pain and holds onto it.

Santiago's perseverance pays off two days later and he successfully manages to capture the marlin, only to be eaten by the sharks on his return journey back home. By the time he reaches the shore, what is left of the giant sea creature is all but skeleton. Upon reaching his shack, he goes into a deep sleep and later Manolin and he decide to go for fishing together.

The most striking aspect of the story, apart from its simplicity, is the underlying metaphorical message that no matter how bad and difficult life's struggles are, one needs to face it with courage and determination and take it in their stride. I particularly liked the old man's approach towards his hardships; he could have simply cut off the fishing line but instead he chooses to endure the pain and emerge victorious in his endeavour (i.e. earn his respect back).

Hemingway also promulgates the importance of experience in one's life through the character of Santiago, who, because of an understanding of his strengths and failings, uses them to deal with his ordeal. Barring a dull start, the writing is overall poignant and pithy. Plain and unremarkable as it may seem, but that's where Hemingway's TOMatS scores big time.