Blog #7: The Old Man and the Sea

I personally do not think that the author, Ernest Hemingway, did a very good job of keeping the reader hooked. When I think of the author keeping the audience hooked, I think of using humor, dialogue, and action. This book had no humor. I do not recall a time when I actually laughed while reading this book. I think that the book would have been more interesting with more dialogue, but because the old man was out on the sea all by his lonesome, Hemingway was limited to the amount of dialogue that he could use. It would have been annoying if Santiago talked and talked and talked while he was on a boat by himself- that is just weird.

The author did a nice job of using symbolism in the book, although sometimes it was hard to realize the symbols as you were reading. At least I had to analyze the symbols after I had read each section of the book. I noticed that the Marlin had to represent a good opponent. He brought out the best in Santiago. Because of the Marlin, four of the old man's good quality character traits were displayed. I noticed that the marlin revealed Santiago's strength, courage, love, and respect. The Marlin gave Santiago a reason to stay strong. I believe that if the old man had not caught that fish, he would have given up and starved to death at sea.

The marlin also helped display Santiago's courage. I think that the marlin helped show that Santiago was courageous. Because of the Marlin, the old man had to courage to keep up his will to live. If I was Santiago I probably would not have survived, but then again I do take into account that the old man was already used to not living in the greatest of conditions. I think that because of the way the human population lives today, it would be really difficult for us to survive with next to no food on a boat in the middle of a large body of water. I guess people who have greater understanding on fishing and survival would be fine though.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print