In real life and in novels, people battle conflicts that they must get through in everyday life. This is no different in The Old Man and the Sea. Santiago is an 84 year old man who has many obstacles in his way to conquer his dream of catching a marlin. Santiago has to overcome obstacles that are physically and mentally draining. Obstacles that Santiago must fight are fatigue, lack of equipment, and doubt. All three of these are bringing Santiago down and he wonders if he will ever capture the marlin.
While trying to capture the marlin, Santiago is affected by fatigue. Santiago is 84 years old and he is trying to capture a 1,000 pound marlin. Santiago does not have the strength that is equivalent to the marlin and the fish is slowly fatiguing the old man. “I’m tireder than I have ever been, he thought, and now the trade wind is rising.” (89). Santiago’s energy is also wearing down because he knows that either he or the fish will be injured from this incredible battle. Fatigue is only one of the many obstacles that Santiago must go through to capture the great marlin.
Another obstacle that Santiago is dealing with is lack of equipment. Santiago is a skilled fisherman, but his lack of equipment makes it tough for him to fish at his highest skill level. His fishing line is very thin and is not the size you want to capture a gargantuan marlin. Also, because of his lack of supplies, he had to use his hands to hold onto the line and he started to get cramps in his hand. “It was only a line burn that had cut his flesh. But it was in the working part of his hand. He knew he would need his hands before this was over and he did not like to be cut before it started.” (57). Having these cramps in his hand, Santiago was not 100 percent and struggled to fish with practically one hand. He has to create his own weapons to fight off sharks and other predators and this whole trip would be much easier if Santiago had the proper equipment.
Throughout Santiago’s long journey, he doubted himself and was unsure that he would ever catch the marlin. Santiago was extremely unlucky and the other fishermen at the tavern would make fun of him and laugh at him. This didn’t bring Santiago’s hopes down, but after being out on the ocean for so long, having cramps in his hand, and not having the correct equipment, he doubted himself. “I do not know, the old man thought. He had been on the point of feeling himself go each time. I do not know. But I will try it once more.” (93). Santiago had doubted himself many times, but he had a little determination left and he knew this was his best chance to catch a fish of a lifetime.
All three of Santiago’s obstacles while trying to catch the fish were all intriguing in different ways. They all show that if you want to achieve your goal, you are going to have to work hard for it. There are always going to be obstacles between you and your dreams, and you have to find away to get around them. That is exactly what Santiago did, finding different ways to catch the marlin with many disadvantages. He was fatigued with injuries and didn’t have the correct equipment, but was persistent and ended up catching the marlin. The Old Man and the Sea gave life lessons that are helpful in life. The book shows that if you have goals that you want to reach in life, you need intelligence, determination, and effort. Santiago had all three of these traits and that is why he was victorious in catching the great marlin
7 comments:
caillou,
I thought that you had a good thesis satement. It was clear and undertanding. I liked your first paragrapg except for the fact that you didnt mention anything about him having no food or water. I think that would play a big facter in Santiago being fatigued. I thought all your paragraphs were pretty good though. You had good detail in all of them and surprisingly good vocabulary in a couple. Good job Caillou!
YO KYLE WHATS GOOD HOMIE. Yo your essay was cash money real G. Your thesis was pretty good, it was "clear and concise". This was also very focused and engaged me. The best quotation I thought was the second, where you said :“I’m tireder than I have ever been, he thought, and now the trade wind is rising.” (89). This was the stongest because you had the most supporting details along with it. You also did a very well job with grammar, I barely found any mistakes and the comma usage was flawless. The only thing I recommend is to working on the thesis and conclusion. Sweet job though get off kyle's essay he better get an A+.
Caillou
I thought your thesis statemment was very clear and concise and you also made it clear what you thought the obstacles were. I thought your first quote was the best because it helped support your point. I thought your conclusion was your best part because it did a good job of summing up your story and also showed what life lessons could be learned from reading the old man and the sea. I thought the description was good in all paragraphs and you had a good writing style. Great job Caillou!
hey CAILLOU... ha. thats right. i called you caillou. i call you this becuase its an indian name for someone who has done an exceptional job. your thesis, man, that was great. it was clear and easily understandable. the strongest paragraph, all of them were great, was your first one. the way you integrated the quote flowed amazingly. it also supported your thesis strongly. i really cant suggest anything for you to do. AMAZING!!!
Dear Kaleigh,
I was expecting an essay of kindergarten quality, but this was about third grade quality. Calm down, I’m just joshin you bud, but it wasn’t cash money. The vocab words like gargantuan, equipment, and equivalent were out of this world. The thesis really guided men into what the essay would be like. Your quotes really backed each paragraph up nicely. I thought your first quote was the best because it helped support your point. I thought your conclusion was your best part because it did a good job of summing up your story and also showed what life lessons could be learned from reading the old man and the sea. I got those lines from matt. Hasta luego. And if you see Ardy tell him I said bogedy bogedy boo.
YO KYLE
Kyle I really enjoyed your essay about the obstacles the old man faced while he was fishing for the that big sexy marlin. Your thesis was "clear and concise" as it should have been and you incorporated your theme very wellly into the story.
I agree with you in that Santiago would have been much better off if he had been prepared with the proper equipment to handle such a mighty fish. With the right stuff the old man maybe would have had a chance to save he precious marlin. Overall, very well written kyle reading this was almost the most enjoyable thing I have ever done.....almost.
Kyle,
I thought you had a very nice essay. Your thesis stement was very clear, and you had very good supporting paragraphs. I thought your second paragraph was the best. I liked the detail. All your quotes were very good. Keep up the good work!
Post a Comment