Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea
is clearly a story of perseverance and determination. Victory implies
something much more intense, but Santiago does experience some kinds of victories
through his perseverance and determination.
You mention
his catching the marlin. That's the first victory, of course, for he has been
eighty-four days without a fish. He has broken his dry spell (his unlucky time) simply
by catching the marlin. The second victory is actually being able to haul it in by
himself. This fish, his brother, is gigantic, and it is no easy feat for him to prepare
the fish and the boat for their trip home. The third victory is similar--he manages to
keep focused and intent despite his mental wanderings and physical struggles. Finally,
Santiago experiences a victory in the eyes of the boy who so adores him. Manolin had not
lost faith in the old man, but this is a reminder that Santiago is still the finest
fisherman.
Others who see the floating carcass are
impressed or pitying or saddened at the sight; for Santiago it is victory enough to know
he caught the fish and he is no longer unlucky.
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