“He is a great fish and I must convince him, he thought. I must never let him learn his strength nor what he could do if he made his run.”
Explore This Quote Further
Example of Usage:
In Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist Santiago is determined to catch a massive marlin. The quote showcases Santiago's inner thoughts as he strategizes his approach to reel in the powerful fish.
Analysis of Quote from Ernest Hemingway
In this quote from Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Old Man and the Sea," the protagonist Santiago is reflecting on his battle with a giant marlin. He realizes the importance of not letting the fish fully understand its own power and capabilities, as this would make it more difficult for Santiago to catch it. This quote highlights Santiago's determination and strategic thinking as he navigates the challenges and obstacles in his pursuit of the marlin. It also serves as a metaphor for the broader themes of struggle and perseverance in the face of adversity that are present throughout the novel.
The power of perseverance and determination
In this quote from Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Old Man and the Sea," the protagonist Santiago is reflecting on the challenge of catching a magnificent fish. The passage highlights the importance of patience and determination when faced with daunting tasks. This timeless message resonates in modern times as a reminder to never underestimate one's own strength and capabilities. Just as Santiago must convince himself of the fish's worth and his ability to conquer it, we too must have faith in our own potential and persevere in the face of challenges.
Reflection Questions
As you reflect on this passage from Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," consider the following questions:
- What do you think the narrator means by saying the fish must not learn his strength?
- How does the idea of convincing the fish and not letting him make his run reflect the narrator's attitude towards the fish?
- How does this passage illustrate the theme of struggle and determination in the face of obstacles?
- In what ways does the relationship between the old man and the fish symbolize larger themes in the story?
- How does Hemingway's use of language and imagery in this passage contribute to the overall mood and tone of the novel?
Similar quotes
“I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars.” Imagine if each day a man must try to kill the moon, he thought. The moon runs away. . . . Then he was sorry for the great fish that had nothing to eat and his determination to kill him never relaxed in his sorrow for him. . . . There is no one worthy of eating him from the manner of his behavior and his great dignity. I do not understand these things, he thought. But it is good that we do not have to try to kill the sun or the moon or the stars. It is enough to live on the sea and kill our true brothers.”
“Then he began to pity the great fish that he had hooked. He is wonderful and strange and who knows how old he is, he thought. Never have I had such a strong fish nor one who acted so strangely. Perhaps he is too wise to jump. He could ruin me by jumping or by a wild rush. But perhaps he has been hooked many times before and he knows that this is how he should make his fight. He cannot know it is only one man against him, nor that it is an old man. But what a great fish he is and what will he bring in the market if the flesh is good. He took the bait like a male and he pulls like a male and his fight has no panic in it. I wonder if he has plans or if he is just as desperate as I am?”
“The fish is my friend too... I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars. Imagine if each day a man must try to kill the moon, he thought. The moon runs away. But imagine if a man each day should have to try to kill the sun? We were born lucky; he thought”
“He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy. He never dreamed about the boy. He simply woke, looked out the open door at the moon and unrolled his trousers and put them on.”
“The fish is my friend too," he said aloud. "I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars.”
“Then he was sorry for the great fish... How many people will he feed?.. But are they worthy to eat him? No, of course, not. There is no one worthy of eating him from the manner of his behavior and his great dignity.”