Old Man and the Sea Essay

In life, there is always an action, and a reaction. For every choice, there is a consequence. Without knowing, a choice that is made without no thought at all, can change someone’s life forever. In the book, The Old Man and the Sea, and just like everyone else, the old man makes choices and then must live with them. He decided to become a fisherman. He decided to continue to chase the marlin. He decided also that there was nothing he could do to stop the sharks. The old man went through a lot in those couple of days, things that effected the rest of his life. Every decision, every action, every thought, effected his life forever more.

"A man is never lost at sea..." Page 89
The old man decided to spend his life fishing, which he loves. But because of that, he has gone broke. He has no money, he hasn’t caught a fish in months, and he has no one except for the boy. He has no family, every fish that he does catch, he has to eat because he has no food. He lives in a shack by himself. Hes never pessimistic though. His life stlye might be concidered gloomy to one, but his optimistic life style is fine with him.

"Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends." Page 54
The old man decided to stay and try to catch the marlin. It took him into the middle of the ocean. He hurt himself and almost starved to death in the process. But, he did catch three fish, one of which was the marlin. As a matter-of-fact, it was giant. He was so cautious not to let it go, and now he didn’t know how to kill it. He was still confident that he could slay the haunting beast. After all that time waiting for the marlin to show its self, he wasn’t going to just stop and lye over dead. He wanted this so bad that he couldn’t stop.

"I think the great DiMaggio would be proud of me today." Page 97
The old man finally caught the marlin. Then the sharks came and ate his prized marlin. All of his hard work was wasted. After waiting over 3 days out in the ocean, it was worthless. But, when he arrived to shore and showed everyone the skeleton of the marlin, he became a fishing hero. This is ironic because before, he was considered a lonely, old man who couldn’t catch a fish for his life. Now, he was a legend, and his story would be passed down, generation to generation, listening to the story that took place so long ago, when The old man in the sea that caught the sea monster with the sword for a nose! People would tell there kids and people will look back and wonder if it is truth or myth.

In conclusion, the old man made choices and then hade to live with them. He made the decision to become a fisherman. He decided to sail in Cuba. He decided to Stay with the marlin for so long. He also decided to try to bring the eerie beast home. Like always, he made decisions and it effected the rest of his life. Just like everyone does the exact same. Now with these changes for better or worst, he would have to live the rest of his life with these changes, small or large. In life, every choice is an action, and every action has a reaction.