Posted by Paul Hammersten on June 12, 19101 at 11:38:52:

In Reply to: Re: Trying to get into reading Hemingay, could someone help me out? posted by Pjk on June 11, 19101 at 11:40:19:

: : Recently I've been trying to start reading some of Hemingway's novels. Yesterday, I started The Old Man and the Sea. Could someone give me some pointers as to what to look for in regards to symbolism or theme(does he have a particular style that he follows in his books?).
: : Thanks.

: I think that the techniques that Hemingway became famous for
: were not used to any great extent in The Old Man and the Sea,
: one of his last novels. The novel can be read simply for the
: enjoyment of the descriptive writing and the story of the old
: man who first hooks and then loses the great fish that would
: have changed his luck. And who does not complain about losing
: the fish, nor complains to a God (a la Johah), but who simply
: says "I went out too far," meaning it was his own fault and he
: is prepared to accept the consequences for this.

: But notice what he gains as well as loses...The young boy, at
: the end, decides to defy his parents and fish with the old man
: again. And so the old man achieves a measure of immortality in
: that he will p on his knowledge of fishing and life to the
: boy. Perhaps this "measure of immortality" is why all of those
: Christian symbols are strewn about the novel. Perhaps this idea
: of disipleship is re-inforced by the old man's name, Santiago,
: Saint James.

: Good Luck
: Pjk

{{{Rufus}}}

Peter has given an excellent intro to THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA. I would like to add that Hemingway considered his story to be 'poetry in prose'. I can think of no better discription.

I found it to be a wonderful experience to read and hope you do to.

Paul

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