While deep-sea fishing one summer in Cuba, Hemingway spoke of the immense pleasure he took in "being on the sea, in the unknown wild suddenness of a great fish; in his life and death which he lives for you in an hour while your strength is harnessed to his; and there is satisfaction in conquering that which rules the sea . . ."" (Donaldson 72). .
Hemingway felt a spiritual communion with the animals he hunted and fished. He saw no contradiction between loving them and hunting them, because he was an experienced and skillful sportsman with an appreciation for the struggles and dangers of hunting and fishing, as well as the sacrifice involved. After his first encounter with a wounded lion, Hemingway's desire to test his courage increased. The intense excitement he felt when tracking the lion was only heightened by the possibility that he might be mauled. Fishing, however, was not so much a test of courage but of endurance. There were still dangers involved when fishing far out at sea. Hemingway compared fighting a big, unrelenting fish to a ten-round boxing match. Both required a high level of strength and endurance. Hemingway believed that killing a lion or boating a marlin required a man to "pass through a primitive rite of initiation- (Donaldson 78). The process, however painful or frightening, was necessary in order for boys to become men (Donaldson, 1977). .
Hemingway also had a deep appreciation for bullfighting. He was fascinated by the combination of art and sport. Bullfighters, according to Hemingway, were masters of their crafts, similar to painters or opera singers. Although many Americans felt the sport was nothing more than a barbaric goring of innocent animals, Hemingway was able to perceive the bullfight as the Spanish did. He saw it as a beautiful display of art and skill, involving as much emotion and grace as a classical tragedy. Hemingway respected bullfighters because they believed in the art of bullfighting so deeply they would die for it.