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The old man and the sea:hemingway’s tragic vision of man
The importance and influence of perseverance
Central character in the novel The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
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Only individuals who are patient and who have a strong determination can achieve their goals through the means of persevering. Many people may fail at persevering through tasks because these tasks are often times difficult. Many times, people get discouraged and quit. As Samuel Johnson once said, “Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance”. This quote explains how the best outcomes come from persistence. Whenever one is faced with a problem, they are tempted to ignore it, rather than solve it. However, by not giving up and working diligently until this problem is solved, a desirable outcome will result. This quote and concept is shown furthermore in the works, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway and in Unwind by Neal Shusterman. …show more content…
Even though he is an experienced fisherman, he has gone 48 days without catching a single fish. Due to this, he has acquired the nickname ‘Salao’, which is a form of dreadful unluckiness. He is perceived as being so unlucky that Manolin, his companion, has been forbidden to fish with him. His parents commanded him to fish on another vessel with more success. Through it all, Santiago keeps an optimistic attitude stating, “Only I have no luck anymore. But who knows? Maybe today. Everyday is a new day”. This mindset shows how the character of Santiago is not one who is easily discouraged. He has been coming home everyday for over a month with an empty skiff. Yet, he has not reached the point of defeat, or giving up. He believes everyday is a new day. Not only does he have tremendous optimism, but he also shows a considerable amount of self-confidence. Even though every other fisherman thinks he is wasting his time and unlucky, Santiago goes fishing anyway. He does not picture himself as a being elderly, unlucky, or weak. Instead, he believes that he is equal to any other
The quote, “Nothing happened. The fish just moved away slowly and the old man could not raise him an inch. His line was strong and made for heavy fish and he held it against his back until it was so taut that beads of water were jumping from it. Then it began to make a slow hissing sound in the water and he still held it, bracing himself against the thwart and leaning back against the pull. The boat began to move slowly off toward the north-west.”(44) creates in depth meaning into how the old man is strong because the fish possesses a determination equal in magnitude to Santiago’s. Santiago has a large amount of endurance, and is using it in the midst of following the fish. Another example of Santiago’s endurance throughout the novel is his strength with the physical pain he feels. For example, the old man has a lot of back pain while following the fish, and catching it, especially. “...”( ).........The old man also experiences physical pain when his hand is cramping and when it gets cut. The author states, “The old man would have liked to keep his hand in the salt water longer but he was afraid of another sudden lurch by the fish and he stood up and braced himself and
No matter how tough the situation might be, London, Steinbeck, and Walker all teach the reader the same thing. They show us how to keep at it and get through a tough situation. Now that we have seen some of the most difficult situations imaginable and some of strongest responses to those situations, we now know just how important perseverance is and how strong anyone can be when they do not give
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.� Dale Carnegie believed that perseverance could overcome even the harshest obstacles. Perseverance is inspired by a purpose, an unsatisfied drive to achieve a goal. During a cataclysmic event, only people with a purpose endure.
A specific case is Jennifer Eagan subjecting herself to constant literary critique, a situation that many would avoid. The difference between Eagan and others is one thing, she wanted to improve. In order to improve one must face challenge. In reality everyone faces a difficult situation at some point in their life, but the severity depends on the person. Some may perceive an AP class to be difficult while others might say that sitting in class has a certain level of difficulty. These situations don’t create perseverance because one puts themselves in front of every difficult situation, but instead because they make a habit of it. It is the act of unconsciously carrying out habitual actions that creates perseverance, not intentionally putting oneself in difficult
If you do not go after what you want, then you will never get it. Perseverance is all about overcoming challenges, and never giving up on dreams, despite the hardships. The authors; Doug Farrar, " Shaquem Griffin, one handed LB, overcomes it all", Jon Bon Jovi, " Livin on a Prayer", and John Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath all utilize the lives of people to tell the tales of perseverance. Farrar writes about the life of a non- fictional character, where as both, Bon Jovi, and Farrar tell the tales of a fictional characters life. All three authors claim that hope gives people the strength to perseverance, regardless of the challenges thrown their way.
Given the tough times that everyone goes through at some point in life, one might think that perseverance dies off—that perseverance is no longer a goal. But in fact, there are those that manage to look through the dark tough times and achieve a goal.
¨Most of the important things in this world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.¨ was a quote by Dale Carnegie a accomplished American writer and lecturer. I believe one of the themes of the quote is perseverance and to never give up no matter how hard or difficult something is. I also believe one of the other themes of the quote is determination and to keep doing what you want and doing and don't listen to people that say you can't do something.
For perseverance is constantly tested in trials and assessments in abundance of adversity, calamity and catastrophe. But it is through only a strong and adamant mentality can perseverance be of any use, as without motivation, perseverance is merely stillborn. But much like the water that slowly chips away at the stone, or the ice that gradually shatters the solid rock, perseverance is much the same, demolishing through the predicaments and headaches that life has in store and burning through the barriers of conflicting emotions. For whether you wear perseverance over your heart or on your arm, no matter who you are, perseverance is buried deeply within our core and is a unshifted behavior that enables even the most average of humans, to perform marvelous masterstrokes revolutionized in many aspects that will move even the most sturdiest of mountains and carve through the most impenetrable of
First, the old man receives outer success by earning the respect and appreciation of the boy and the other fishermen. The boy is speaking to the old man in his shack after the old man’s long journey, “You must get well fast for there is much that I can learn and you can teach me everything” (Hemmingway 126). The boy appreciates the fact that the old man spends time to teach him about fishing. He respects him a great deal for he knows that the old man is very wise and is a magnificent fisherman. The fellow fishermen also show respect towards the old man as they note the size of the fish after the old man returns home, “What a fish it was, there has never been such a fish” (123). The men admire the fact that the old man has caught the biggest fish that they have seen. Many fishermen resented Santiago at first, however their opinion changed once they realized what the old man has gone through. Being admired by others plays a major role in improving one’s morale.
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”(Michael Jordan). Every once in awhile, people are faced with hardships, it’s just a matter of life. However, some of these people may not know how to deal with these obstacles that they are facing. Although the individuals in the selection faced a variety of different hardships, they all overcame these obsatcles by perservering and not giving up.
In the story Santiago’s bravery is unsurpassed but it is not until he hooks the “great fish” that we truly see his valor and perseverance. Through Santiago’s actions Hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity. He demonstrates that even when all is lost and seems hopeless a willful heart and faith will overcome anything. Santiago had lost his “luckiness” and therefore the respect of his village. Through the description of his cabin we also suspect that Santiago is a widower. Although Santiago has had many troubles he perseveres. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself.
”(page 111). Santiago had plans for him already but failed to accomplish them. Some will argue that he won because he gained spiritual victory. This , in a way, is true; but fishing is his job and only way of living. If the case had been different and Santiago was only fishing for his personal entertainment, which wasn’t, it could be seen as a new experience or story to tell.
In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, pits his strength against forces he cannot control. We learn from Santiago's struggles how to face insurmountable odds with bravery and courage. Though we find an indifferent and hostile universe as Santiago's stage, his unwillingness to give in to these forces demonstrate a reverence for life's struggles. Santiago's struggle is for dignity and meaning in the face of insurmountable odds. His warrior-like spirit fights off the sharks full-well knowing the fate of his marlin. Santiago loses his marlin in the end, but his struggle to keep it represent a victory because of the dignity and heroism with which he carries out his mission. However, as Santiago acknowledges, he is almost sorry he caught the marlin because he knows the animal and he have a great deal in common as fellow beings in nature. However, he only caught the marlin "through trickery" (Hemingway 99). Santi...
... minds of many with the great strength and patience: the passion that Santiago has for life, for nature, and for the harsh judgement of fellow fisherman.
For three long days, the boat is alternating pushes and towed by the huge fish in an almost dream-like state. Only the killing os the fish and the attacking of the sharks interrupt the monotony. The monotony becomes one of the pressures that the old man must endure in order to maintain his grace. However, because Santiago never gives in to the monotony or the depression, he becomes the hero in the story against innumerable odds. His tenacious determination leads him to a sense of hope amongst the monotony and depression.