Book Review: "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

by Gaurav Deury

“But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but
not defeated.” Ernest Hemingway

There are moments in life when one finds oneself presented

with just the right thing one requires at that particular moment
in time. Reading Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the
Sea" at one of my most conflicting periods was one such
experience. I was in my 2nd year of medical school and my
finals were just a month away, to say I was ill-prepared would
be an understatement, I was vigorously reading up stuff
without any understanding involved, and my concepts were all
jumbled into one big scattered mesh and the vastness of the
syllabus and the life ahead just kept gnawing in my mind, telling
me to give up. In that moment I just wanted a respite, an
escape of sorts, and the book that I lazily borrowed from my
friend, lying dormant for months with the cover portraying an
old man catching a massive fish finally caught my eye.
The more the pages turned, the more I resonated on a
personal level. It’s a story that goes beyond the simple tale of a
fisherman; it’s about human resilience, struggle, and the silent,
enduring spirit.

Reading "The Old Man and the Sea" felt like embarking on a
reflective journey. The protagonist, Santiago, is an old Cuban
fisherman who hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. Despite his bad
luck, Santiago remains determined and sets out into the Gulf
Stream to break his unlucky streak. His unwavering resolve
reminded me of the relentless pursuit required in the medical
field, where perseverance is crucial.

As Santiago hooks a giant marlin, his battle against the fish

stretches over several days and nights. During these moments, I
felt a strong connection to Santiago’s struggle. His solitary fight
against the marlin mirrored my own battles with the
demanding medical curriculum and the stress of exams. There’s
a particular scene where Santiago, exhausted and alone in the
vast sea, speaks to the marlin with respect and empathy. This
struck a chord with me, highlighting the importance of
maintaining compassion and respect, even in our most
challenging times.

Hemingway’s writing here is simple yet profoundly straight and

direct, capturing the essence of Santiago’s character and the
symbolism of his struggle. The themes of endurance and dignity
are ever-present. The majority of the book involves what goes
in the psyche of Santiago, it made me feel as if I was his mind’s
personification, sitting on the edge of his boat, in the middle of
the vast gulf. Santiago's internal dialogue and reflections during
his ordeal brought a sense of calm and introspection, much like
the quiet moments I find during late-night study sessions.
Santiago’s unwavering spirit was one of the book's most
powerful aspects for me. Even as he faces physical pain and
isolation, he never loses his determination or respect for the
marlin. This reminded me of the resilience needed in medicine,
where setbacks and challenges are part of the journey but
never define it.

While the detailed descriptions of the fishing process might

seem tedious to some, I found them meditative. I initially had
to google a lot of words as fishing and nautical fiction, in
general, was something I was not quite familiar with.
Nevertheless, soon they allowed me to immerse myself fully in
Santiago’s world, feeling every tug of the line and every
moment of his struggle. I also later found out that this book
was based on Hemingway’s own personal fishing adventure
and it is rightfully said that fiction imitates life.
However, it’s not just about the struggle mentioned but also
about the quiet triumphs, the moments of introspection, and
the profound respect for life’s challenges. "The Old Man and
the Sea" is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure
and thrive despite overwhelming odds.

The book is more than a story about a fisherman. It reflects the

human condition, resilience, and dignity in the face of
adversity. As a medical student, I found it deeply inspiring and
relatable. Santiago’s journey is a reminder that persistence and
respect for our struggles are crucial, no matter how
insurmountable they may seem. This book is a must-read for
anyone looking to find strength and introspection in their own
journey like I found mine.
It taught me about being without hope and taking action
anyway.