The Old Man and the Sea Question 6

Most people ask themselves, “Why do we still read this book?”  For starters, the main reason why we still read most classics is because the teachers have all the tests, study guides, and the knowledge of them.  For example, we read Othello second semester in English 232 because Mrs. Oh had all the information on it already.  Teachers also know what to expect from students so they are able to teach the literature better.  

The Old Man and the Sea is a classic that people have been reading for over a decade.  The story is of a poor, weak man who has had bad luck for over eighty days and still has not given up.  Just right there is an accomplishment.  The old man, Santiago decides to go out farther in the Gulf of Mexico than he usually does.  Out there, he hooks a fifteen hundred pound purple and silver marlin.  For three days, Santiago struggles to reel him in with only his body and fishing line.  Finally, the old man is able to end the battle by sticking a harpoon into the belly of the fish.  On the way back to shore, the eighteen foot marlin is eating by several different species of sharks.  Santiago arrives in the harbor just as he had left, empty handed. 

My point of view on why we still read this is because of its message.  Even though the old man could have given up, he did not.  He stuck with what he loved even if it did not reward him with anything.  Coming home empty handed for eighty- four days is definitely a debbie downer.  My mom always tells me “Never give up on what you love because eventually it will reward you.”  Santiago did not throw in the towel and he was rewarded with a stunning sea creature.  Although the marlin was destroyed by sharks, he still brought home his pride in himself for catching it. 

I found a quote that sums up the message, which we can learn from, in this novel.  “Don't ever give up on something or someone that you can't go a full day without thinking about” (Quotes).  I think it is pretty self explanatory.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.

"Quotes." Thinkexist.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2012.