Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea has the recurring theme of overcoming of obstacles, not only physical, but mental as well. Being able to conquer different barriers proved an important trait in Santiago’s journey, and that attribute equally important in our lives today. Overcoming obstacles are an essential part of maturing as a person.
By the end of the novel, Santiago has obviously become a much stronger person. Throughout his three-day battle with the marlin, Santiago had to dig deep inside himself to make it through all his hardships. When he begins his journey, his mindset is to capture the fish and use it to feed himself and make money for him to survive on. He has not an iota of respect for the marlin. When the fish takes
Part of the maturation process involves going through hardship, and this process goes on throughout your entire life. There’s always something useful that can be learned from suffering and always, people will surface stronger than before.
the bait, Santiago is thinking, “Eat it so that the point of the hook goes into your heart and kills you” (Hemingway 44). Simply hooking the fish proved a difficult task and the first of countless obstacles Santiago endures. As the fish takes Santiago out further to sea, he takes on a more reverent attitude toward it. He begins to feel pity for the marlin and is sorry for what he eventually must do. He starts to mature in his mind at this point. Before, he merely desired to kill the fish and take it home,
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