K. K.

Wagh Secondary School & Jr College,

Saraswatinagar, Nashik
Literary Club-2022-23
Ustav-2022-23 - VedhSahityacha

A Report on “The Old Man and the Sea”

Name of Student : Endait Yash Vilas

Class – : 9th B

Publication : Published In 1952

Name of Poet : Ernest Hemingway

Name of Genre : Heroic Novel 

Introduction
When The Old Man and the Sea was published in 1952 to wide critical acclaim, it had been
twelve years since Ernest Hemingway's previous critical success, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
His major writing effort during the intervening period, Across the River and Into the Trees,
published in 1950, had been widely dismissed as a near-parody of the author's usual style and
themes. The Old Man and the Sea, however, was a popular success, selling 5.3 million copies
within two days of its publication in a special edition of Life magazine. A few complaints
about the stilted language of some of the Spanish transliterations came from critics. Some
also found Santiago's philosophizing unrealistic. Nevertheless, the story won the Pulitzer
Prize for fiction in 1953. A year later, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize for
Literature. The Nobel committee singled out the story's "natural admiration for every
individual who fights the good fight in a world of reality overshadowed by violence and
death," (noted Susan F. Beegel in "Conclusion: The Critical Reputation of Ernest
Hemingway"). Although Hemingway's writing continued to be published, much of it
posthumously after the author's suicide in 1961, The Old Man and the Sea is generally
considered by many to be his crowning achievement. The work was especially praised for its
depiction of a new dimension to the typical Hemingway hero, less macho and more respectful
of life. In Santiago, Hemingway had finally achieved a character who could face the human
condition and survive without cynically dismissing it or dying while attempting to better it. In
Santiago's relationship with the world and those around him, Hemingway had discovered a
way to proclaim the power of love in a wider and deeper way than in his previous works.

Opinion
Ernest Hemmingway's The Old Man and the Sea is one of the best works of fiction I've read.
Hemmingway's expert use of simile and imagery makes the book beautifully illustrated and
lively to read. When I first got the book I expected it to be boring and sparse as I heard other's
say it was. While reading it I was pleasantly surprised at the genius of Hemmingway's words.
Now after finishing it I know I have to get my own copy instead of borrowing from my
teacher. After this is spoilers so be warned if you don't know the story. Santiago's character is
incredibly likeable and reminds me of almost every elderly person I've talked to. He is wise
about the sea and is a very human character. His pride after catching the marlin and his
thoughts while on the skiff make the book incredibly enjoyable. His relationship with the boy
is also another charming aspect of the story. It's sweet to hear him talk about the boy and his
wishes to have the boy with him. The finale of the book as Santiago's honor is restored to him
even though he lost his prize and his luck wasn't better is a uplifting end to the book. Overall
this is one of my favorite works of fiction and I'm very happy I read it.