Part I: What am I reading right now...
I have to be honest, I am not super excited to read this book. I like Hemingway for his efficient,
journalistic writing style; but, I really do not want to read a book all about freaking fishing. I mean,
yeah, the book is only like a hundred pages, but that’s not gonna stop me from complaining about
the fact that this story is literally about the most boring activity on Earth. On top of that, I have some
vague idea that this story has something to do with Jesus, which liking fishing, is something I know
close to zero about. Whenever I read this book I feel like I’m either misunderstanding some biblical
allegory or experiencing man’s most insufferable aquatic activity through literature. But, I have to write
about this book for the next month, so I’ll have to do the unthinkable and find some things I actually
like about Ernest’s renowned fishing flick.
journalistic writing style; but, I really do not want to read a book all about freaking fishing. I mean,
yeah, the book is only like a hundred pages, but that’s not gonna stop me from complaining about
the fact that this story is literally about the most boring activity on Earth. On top of that, I have some
vague idea that this story has something to do with Jesus, which liking fishing, is something I know
close to zero about. Whenever I read this book I feel like I’m either misunderstanding some biblical
allegory or experiencing man’s most insufferable aquatic activity through literature. But, I have to write
about this book for the next month, so I’ll have to do the unthinkable and find some things I actually
like about Ernest’s renowned fishing flick.
So, I guess the logical place to begin is with character. The book opens describing the book's
namesake: the “old man who fished alone [...] in the Gulf Stream.” The old man, named Santiago,
lives in small a Cuban fishing town and is very poor. He is a wise, experienced fisherman, though
this has done him no good, for the past eighty-four days he has caught no fish.
namesake: the “old man who fished alone [...] in the Gulf Stream.” The old man, named Santiago,
lives in small a Cuban fishing town and is very poor. He is a wise, experienced fisherman, though
this has done him no good, for the past eighty-four days he has caught no fish.
Accompanying Santiago on many of his fishing voyages is a boy named Manolin. Since he was five,
Manolin has sailed with Santiago. Recently, however, Manolin’s father didn’t allow him to fish with
Santiago, given his unlucky streak. The two men look out for one another, building a father-son
relationship. They fish together, talk about baseball, eat with one another, wake each other up, etc.
Manolin has sailed with Santiago. Recently, however, Manolin’s father didn’t allow him to fish with
Santiago, given his unlucky streak. The two men look out for one another, building a father-son
relationship. They fish together, talk about baseball, eat with one another, wake each other up, etc.
Their relationship is more complex, though. Allegorically (and this is where the dreaded Jesus stuff
comes in), there is a Christ-like faith the boy has in the man. Many, including Mandolin’s father,
“hasn’t much faith” in the old man. He has become the catchless laughingstock of the village. Yet,
he persists. Like a religious figure, he completely gives up all else, including food, and devotes
himself to getting the next catch. While most fishermen remain close to the island, the old man is not
afraid to go “far out” and leave “the smell of land behind.” The boy finds this admirable, as despite
working on the “lucky boat,” he still desires to fish with Santiago. Mandolin tells the old man that
“there are many good fishermen, and some great ones. But there is only one you.” While all others lose
faith in the crusty, unlucky, shoeless (yet another Jesus thing, probably) Santiago, Mandolin remains
faithful. Like Jesus in the face of the Romans, the old man’s following is small, but alive.
comes in), there is a Christ-like faith the boy has in the man. Many, including Mandolin’s father,
“hasn’t much faith” in the old man. He has become the catchless laughingstock of the village. Yet,
he persists. Like a religious figure, he completely gives up all else, including food, and devotes
himself to getting the next catch. While most fishermen remain close to the island, the old man is not
afraid to go “far out” and leave “the smell of land behind.” The boy finds this admirable, as despite
working on the “lucky boat,” he still desires to fish with Santiago. Mandolin tells the old man that
“there are many good fishermen, and some great ones. But there is only one you.” While all others lose
faith in the crusty, unlucky, shoeless (yet another Jesus thing, probably) Santiago, Mandolin remains
faithful. Like Jesus in the face of the Romans, the old man’s following is small, but alive.
That’s all I got so far. There were some other references to even more things I don’t care about
(like mid-20th Century baseball) which I’m sure were important, but for now, I’m sticking to what
I know. I’m sure this will all make some sense when I read about more the latter half of the book’s
title and do some more research about this Jesus guy who everyone seems so obsessed with.
But, for now, Ernest disappoints.
(like mid-20th Century baseball) which I’m sure were important, but for now, I’m sticking to what
I know. I’m sure this will all make some sense when I read about more the latter half of the book’s
title and do some more research about this Jesus guy who everyone seems so obsessed with.
But, for now, Ernest disappoints.
I like Hemingway in small doses, like short stories, and I really enjoyed A Moveable Feast, which is about his time in Paris. But I understand your issues with him if the topic itself isn't interesting. Perhaps focusing on the style will increase your interest.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all of your commentary and voice as well as your focus on how the book relates to Jesus. This is something I will have to pick up on in the next portion of the book as I read.
ReplyDelete