Theme by Maddie D.

In the novella, The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway intertwines many different themes within the story. Each having there own significance. One important theme is to never give up on something you want. I believe this theme fits in with Santiago’s character towards the marlin, in my life, and in an everyday life of human being.

After spending four hard, treacherous days of trying to reel the marlin in, he finally does, and Santiago is left with only the remains of the fish. Santiago says with disappointment, “‘they beat me. They truly beat me.’ “Then Manolin replies, “‘He didn’t beat you. Not the fish.’”(124) although Santiago believes that he has failed, Manolin disagrees with him. Even though his fish was pretty much eaten by sharks, he still proved to everyone that he wasn’t an unlucky fisherman. After 84 days of not being able to catch a fish, then on the 85^th day coming upon the most brutal marlin, Santiago didn’t come close to giving up. With his old age and not being able to eat for days, he was able to put up a great four day fight with the marlin. He had an experience that no one could ever say they had.

In my life, I have come very close to wanting to give up. Recently I had an experience that might never have happened. This year I wasn’t going to play basketball, but my family, and friend’s convinced me to play. I had the greatest time of my life. I have never worked so hard in my life. In the first playoff game we were losing and there wasn’t much time left. I’m sure everyone knew we were going to lose and wanted to give up, but no one did. We lost, but I know I wouldn’t change anything that happened over the season. I believe Santiago’s and my experience can relate. I thought a good quote that represents how Santiago never gives up was on page 93, “He took all his pain and what was left of his strength and his long gone pride and he put it against the fish’s agony and the fish came over onto his side and swam gently on the side…” This quote shows his determination and how he was willing to give all that he had left, which wasn’t much, to catch the fish.

When you want something, you should go for it. Even if it takes everything you have, you should never give up. I believe every person can relate to this theme. If you do give up I think you will be living with a few regrets in life. Santiago never gave up. The determination he shows to catching the fish is unbelievable. You can tell that his passion is fishing and he is willing to do anything to catch the marlin. “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” (Page 103) Although Santiago was only left with pieces of the marlin, he came how with so much more. He came home with an experience of a lifetime. Santiago didn’t exactly get what he wanted, but he showed his pride for fishing and with that he proved himself to be a good fisherman.

Hemingway really shows how Santiago changes from the beginning of the book to the end. He battles the great marlin for four exhausting days. Santiago shows that when you have a passion for something, you should never give up. The theme really fits in with Santiago’s character and I’m sure me and everyone in the world can relate to it in someway.