In the novel The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway is able to teach readers about self determination. It is essential to see the ability of this old man to surmount seemingly insurmountable physical obstacles. The triumph at sea reveals indominitable spirit and will of man in conflict with his aging body. Santiago need's to prove mostly to himself that he is still able to be the fisherman that he once was.
In his quest to prove that he is still the fisherman that he once was, Santiago faces great danger in traveling far beyond the normal waters in which to fish. Santiago must prove to himself and to his friend Manolin that he is still able to fish successfully. Santiago has gone 84 days without catching a fish. After the first forty days Manolin's parents required him to no longer fish with the old man because Santiago was now definitely and finally salao.
Ernest Hemingway in Milan, 1918
American Author Ernest Hemingway aboard his Yacht ...
American Author Ernest Hemingway with sons Patrick...Salao means the worst form of bad luck. Santiago was physically described thin and gaunt with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck. "Everything was old about him except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated". When Santiago's hand cramped, Santiago did not view this as a sign of failure or old age, but a sign to encourage him to fight and try harder. If his hand let go, he felt that he was not just letting go of the fish but his youth and life. Santiago felt that anyone can be a fisherman in the month of May but the real true test was the month of September where the big fish come. September had given the old man the opportunity to prove to himself and to the boy that he is...