Vyuh

The Old Man and the Sea is a short novel by Ernest Hemingway. I read it about eight months ago and was overcome with emotion. Then I searched the internet for other descriptions of the final scene. I encountered this web page on Why did Manolin Cry at the end of The Old Man and the Sea? I immediately doubted the humanity of the people who felt the need to ask that question. At least those people who had read the work.

Santiago is practically a loser. How healthy is having a willpower like Santiago? How prudent is it for Manolin leave it all and join Santiago? Still, Santiago did what he had to do, and what Manolin did was only humane.

I liked how Santiago braved the forces of nature with all his might, emerged victorious, and then lost fruits of victory again. Effectively, he was barely able make it back to shore alive, and thoroughly exhausted. So much of vain effort, in such old age. I like the admiration, and respect Manolin has for old Santiago, a seemingly worthless person. It’s good to see Manolin being there to care for such a person. I liked how Santiago, on one hand, showed sensitivity and respect to the forces of nature, but still showed the courage and willpower to win over them.

May be, all this dillema arises in me beacuase Hemingway intentionally made his work deep and complex. May be, these are standard methods of art. Like the things Oscar Wilde stated in his work. Beautiful and complex works are stylish. Style makes it believable. Life imitates Art.