The Old man and the sea meaning Reddit

So I just finished "The Old Man and the Sea" today, and I must say that the finish was satisfying. The way that Hemingway uses language so economically was very interesting to me (especially since the last book I read was a Faulkner novel), and I enjoyed the different themes being explored. I truly enjoyed the usage of Christian imagery all throughout the book, I think it adds another layer of skill that shows Hemingway's true talents. While it was not my favorite book I've ever read, I can appreciate his skill and obvious talent in writing, and I certainly see the appeal in his books. How does everyone else feel about this story? General thoughts? Themes you think are being explored? Thoughts on Hemingway in general?

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r/books

I just finished reading the The Old Man and the Sea and I understand the broad message of resilience and determination, but what are some underlying messages and symbols that I can analyze? (The lions on the beach, the reference to the great DiMaggio, the self-dialogue, etc.)

level 1

Then there is the other secret. There isn't any symbolysm [sic]. The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a fish. The shark are all sharks no better and no worse. All the symbolism that people say is shit. What goes beyond is what you see beyond when you know.

― Ernest Hemingway Selected Letters 1917-1961

level 2

Exactly. Hemingway wasn't one to overlay meaning on top of meaning. His stories were about real people doing real things. Don't try to read so much into them.

level 2

No one seems to get that he was just trying to keep it hidden. The story is full of mythical and biblical references, it's practically most famous for that. Here's a discussion about some of them.

level 1

Prior to writing The Old Man and the Sea, Hemmingway had gone a full decade without writing. The Marlin is most definitely his collective work. Then after working so hard to accomplish his goal, it's picked apart by sharks until it's a worthless collection of bones. Vonnegut likened those sharks to literary critics who destroy the works of authors without themselves ever having been subjected to the process of developing a novel or story.

I'm sure there is more.

level 1

What I took away from it is the following (and I think that's a quote from the novella itself or from some other work of Hemingway's): a man can be defeated but he can't be destroyed. And, further, there can be victory even in the midst of defeat.

level 2

Yes, I loved this quote. This was from this book and it really showed how conscience and proud this old man was.

level 1

Cartman: [whistling] Kay Pasol! Kay Pasol! [Mexicans come forward] Cartman: Alright, did you read the book? Mexicans: Si, si... Kyle: What was it about? In case our teacher asks us? Mexican #1: It starts there the old man... and he job is to catch the feesh... so he get in the boat to try and catch feesh. Mexican #2: So he catches feesh... but the feesh is very strong, so the old man can't reel in the feesh. Mexican #3: So then he fight the feesh some more and he finally catch the feesh. Kyle: So he catches the feesh so he can make money? Mexican #1: No... on the way home the sharks come and eat the feesh and so [takes off his hat] Mexican #1: ...he no make money. [Sniffs, other Mexicans take off their hats]

level 2

I was going for the youtube clip, but well transliterated.

level 1

No good book has ever been written that has in it symbols arrived at beforehand and stuck in. ... I tried to make a real old man, a real boy, a real sea and a real fish and real sharks. But if I made them good and true enough they would mean many things

• Time 1954

As other posters have said Hemingway wrote real things into the story because (IMO) true stories are relatable in structure if not scale. All the symbolism in there is what you mak of it and what in your experience connects you to it.

Same thing goes for Rocky.

level 1

I LOVE THIS. I found out that there are certain scenes in the story that allude to Santiago being Christ. It was so subtle I didn't notice it (the biggest was Santiago carrying his mast up the hill to his hut alluding to Christ walking with the crucifix up Calgary Hill.)

level 2

I totally got that feeling as well. Especially when he talked about himself knowing he was still alive from the pain coming from his back, and how his hands were bleeding. I wasn't sure but now I am knowing that someone else saw the same thing!

level 2

Lol, no it was just a fun read that I've been meaning to get to

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