The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest HemingwayAfter reading this novel, "The Old Man and the Sea", by Ernest Hemingway, I was confused about something the old man kept saying. Throughout the book, the old man, Santiago, refers to going too far to catch the fish. To me that sounds like he's making excuses for why he can't bring in the fish. On the other hand, maybe he realized he shouldn't have gone out that far because it wasn't worth it all. he submits himself and the fish. I reread these parts and came to a conclusion about this problem. We know that Santiago leaves on the eighty-fifth day earlier than usual to get a head start on what he thinks will be the day he catches something. He catches something and it turns out to be the biggest fish he's ever seen in his life. He does everything he can to hook the fish and once hooked; the fish drags it towards the sea, moving further and further from the land. The man knows he is not prepared for what is to come, but does not let it discourage him and keeps trying. This tells me that Santiago is courageously devoting himself to his life as a fisherman. After three days at sea dealing with marlin and especially hunger, he brings the fish back and ties it to the side of his boat. When the first shark arrives, it does everything it can to defend itself, but as ill-prepared as it is, its actions are almost useless. That's when he first said to himself and to the marlin next to him, "I shouldn't have gone out that far, fish." Neither for you nor for me. I’m sorry fish” (110). The old man had considered the fish his friend and also his brother the whole time he was trying to kill it. For me, this ass...... middle of paper ......back. What the old man doesn't realize is that he is getting something in return. He is having an experience that few other people have had or ever will have. He gained knowledge on how to better prepare for an event like this. And he earned the respect of the townspeople, who once found him sad and pitiful. Santiago is a courageous and defiant old man who regrets not having managed to complete his journey with his trophy by his side. If one looked into this further and tried to understand why the old man constantly says he has gone too far, I think they would discover that this is the old man's way of coping with his loss. Even though he says it, I don't think if he had to do it again he would stop before he caught the fish. Santiago is a true fisherman and he will do whatever it takes to prove it..