As an author, Ernest Hemingway is known for incorporating an important moral, or lesson, into every novel he wrote. One reoccurring theme in his novel,
The Old Man and the Sea, is never giving up. The old man commonly reminded himself, "Tomorrow is going to be a good day with this current (Hemingway 14)." The novel teaches the lesson of continuing to fight until you get your big break, or in the case of Santiago, your big catch. He showed his drive for fishing by working every day to catch a fish, even if it takes eighty-four days. By never giving up fishing, the old man showed the amount of pride he had for himself and his work. When he finally caught the great marlin, Santiago endured even more struggles. He was on the verge of death due to his lack of food and water. The old man had not planned on the four day fishing trip, especially when the sharks interrupted. The battle of staying alive and fighting off the marlin's predators were just more examples of how Santiago continued to never give up. The friendship-like relationship the old man created with the marlin provided the extra strength that was necessary to make it home. After murdering the fish, Santiago had to remind himself, "You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you love him after (Hemingway15)." During his long journey, the old man even looked to God in hopes of staying alive and not giving up. He promised that he would "say a hundred Our Fathers and a hundred Hail Marys" if he could just give him the strength to stay alive for one more day (Hemingway 87). He eventually found that strength and was able to make it back to the Havana port.
By using a simple theme, such as never give up, Hemingway allows readers to relate to the struggles and characters in the novel. No matter how clear or complicated the issue is, the lessons taught in this novel can be useful.
[Biography]
Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.
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