Hemingway's Ho Hum: A Case for Redefining the Classics

Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea often finds itself nestled comfortably on "must-read" lists
and lauded for its minimalist prose and symbolic depth. But let's be honest, folks, is this novella really a
literary titan, or a dusty relic in desperate need of dethronement?

The story itself is as sparse as the Cuban fishing village it depicts. Santiago, a weathered fisherman
plagued by bad luck, ventures out to sea and hooks a marlin so big, it could swallow a Volkswagen (with
apologies to any classic car enthusiasts). What follows is a long, drawn-out battle – man versus fish, man
versus nature, man versus metaphors-that-go-over-your-head-like-a-rogue-wave.

Hemingway's signature terse style might have been revolutionary in its time, but today, it often reads like
a telegram with delusions of grandeur. The repetitive descriptions of the sea and Santiago's aching
muscles become monotonous after the third marlin leap. And don't even get me started on the constant
references to baseball – a blatant attempt at universality that falls flatter than a marlin out of water.

More importantly, the novella reeks of a bygone era where white male narratives dominated the literary
landscape. Santiago, despite his struggles, remains a privileged figure. His "noble defeat" is
romanticized, while the economic realities of a struggling fisherman are conveniently ignored. Where's
the story of the woman selling fish at the market? Or the young boy who dreams of a life beyond the sea?
Their voices are absent, silenced by the singular focus on Hemingway's "hero."

This brings us to the critical question: are these the stories we want to hold up as classics? The canon of
literature deserves to be a vibrant tapestry, woven with diverse voices and perspectives. It's time to re-
evaluate the "classics" we recommend. Is a book truly timeless if it speaks only to a narrow slice of
humanity? Or should we be seeking out narratives that challenge and broaden our understanding of the
world?

There are countless masterpieces waiting to be discovered, stories by brilliant authors of color, women,
and LGBTQ+ writers who offer fresh perspectives and challenge traditional narratives. Let's ditch the
Hemingway hero worship and dive into the wealth of voices waiting to be heard. The literary sea is vast,
and it's teeming with stories far more captivating than an old man and his very symbolic fish.