Review-The Old Man and the Sea
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The Old Man and the Sea was an enormous success for Ernest Hemingway when it was published in 1952. At first glance, the story appears to be an extremely simple story of an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who catches an enormously large fish then loses it again. But, there's much more to the story than that as the short novella shows understanding of men very different from himself-- while he elevates their simple lives to legendary status. Friendship and honor develops between the fish and the man--a throwback to an older time in a way that almost denigrates modern advancements. Hemingway writes of a time when fishing was not merely a business transaction, or a sport. Instead, fishing was an expression of humankind in its natural state--in tune with nature and oneself. Enormous stamina and power arises in the breast of Santiago. The simple fisherman is becomes a classical hero in his epic struggle. The old man holds on to the rope--even though he is cut and bruised by it, even though he wants to sleep and eat. He holds onto the rope as though his life depended on it. Once more Hemingway brings to the fore the power and masculinity of a simple man--in a simple habitat. The power of this story lies in its simplicity. There is no ostentation to Hemingway's writing. No needless ornamentation. His stripped-down style enables him to tell a story of simple, almost-archetypal bravery and heroism.
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review of the well-known book of Ernst Hemingway
Transcript of Review-The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Seawas an enormous success forErnest Hemingwaywhen it was published in 1952. At first glance, the story appears to be an extremely simple story of an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who catches an enormously large fish then loses it again.
But, there's much more to the story than that as theshort novellashows understanding of men very different from himself--while he elevates their simple lives to legendary status. Friendship and honor develops between the fish and the man--a throwback to an older time in a way that almost denigrates modern advancements.
Hemingwaywrites of a time when fishing was not merely a business transaction, or a sport. Instead, fishing was an expression of humankind in its natural state--in tune with nature and oneself. Enormous stamina and power arises in the breast of Santiago. The simple fisherman is becomes a classical hero in his epic struggle.
The old man holds on to the rope--even though he is cut and bruised by it, even though he wants to sleep and eat. He holds onto the rope as though his life depended on it. Once more Hemingway brings to the fore the power and masculinity of a simple man--in a simple habitat.
The power of this story lies in its simplicity. There is no ostentation to Hemingway's writing. No needless ornamentation. His stripped-down style enables him to tell a story of simple, almost-archetypal bravery and heroism.
