Hemingway V. London

A tragedy is a serios drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force and having a sorrowful or disatrous conclusion that excites pity or terror. Both stories meet the qualification to be a tragedy. As stated in the definition, the reader can see that the protagonist will be defeated by the superior force, but the hero continues his/her mission. Often foreshadowing is readily apparent to the r

The superior force in both stories is nature. Santiago, the poor fisherman, is up against an enormous marlin, while London’s character is faced with unimaginable climatic conditions. Although the outside forces are most obvious, the men’s psyche may hold the key to their destiny. Santiago’s determination prevails when battling the marlin. While the man in London’s story surrendurs to nature and accepts defeat. This may be the most strking difference in the two stories. As Santiago relfects when he watches the weary warbler fly toward shore, where it will inevitably meet the hawk and be killed; the world is full of predators, and no living thing can escape the struggle that will lead to its death. Santiago lives according to his own observation: “man is not made for defeat… [a] man can be destroyed but not defeated.” In Hemingway’s portrait of the world, death is inevitable, but the best men will nontheless refuse to give in to its power. Accordingly, man and fish will struggle to the death, just as hungry sharks will lay waste to an old man’s trophy catch. In London’s story the opposite stance is taken. The man admits defeat and handles death gracefully. So which story is correct? Should a person die with guns blazing and struggling to the end, or bow out with dignity and admit defeat? Honor in defeat is the underlying theme in both stories. Which defeat seems more honorable? Santiago does not die, but he has sacrificed and has risked his life to bring in a fish. He fights to the end, but is ultimatley defeated when the sharks devour his prize. Santiago puts up a great fight, but takes defeat calmly: “He knew he was beaten now finally and without remedy… … the old man paid no attention to them and did not pay attention to anything except steering. H

Some topics in this essay:
Jack London’s, Build Fire”, Christ Santiago’s, Christ Christ’s, Stay Nature's, Robert Frost, London’s Unique, Defeat Nature, honor defeat, Ernest Hemingway’s, “to build fire”, build fire”, “to build, london’s story, superior force, handled death, idea heaven, gold stay, death life, theme stories,