Prompt: Please analyze the excerpt from 'The Old Man and the Sea' to support the assertion: The Old Man and the Sea is an epic ode to the audacious and heroic spirit of humanity.
I. Detailed Outline
II. Sample Essay
The Old Man and the Sea is a magnificent epic praising the audacious and heroic stance of humanity.
I. Outline Demonstrating The Old Man and the Sea as a grand epic celebrating the audacious and heroic stance of humanity (Standard)
1. Introduction
The novel 'The Old Man and the Sea' is one of the remarkable works that has made a significant impact on the world literary stage. Not only successful artistically according to the iceberg theory, but the work also carries profound ideological content, hence it has been argued that: 'The Old Man and the Sea is an epic ode praising the audacious and heroic stance of humanity'.
2. Body
- Description of Santiago:
+ A laborer working as a fisherman
+ Age: 74
+ Spent 84 days at sea without catching any fish...(Continued)
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II. Sample Essay Demonstrating The Old Man and the Sea as an epic ode praising the audacious and heroic stance of humanity (Standard)
Miller Hemingway is a renowned American writer. Throughout his dedicated life to art, he has received numerous prestigious awards and left behind valuable works. Particularly, the novel 'The Old Man and the Sea' is one of the most outstanding works that has resonated greatly in the world literary community, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Not only successful artistically according to the iceberg theory, but the work also carries profound ideological content. Therefore, it has been argued that: 'The Old Man and the Sea is an epic ode praising the audacious and heroic stance of humanity'.
The work tells the story of Santiago, a laborer working as a fisherman. The old man was not as fortunate as other fishermen when for 84 days and nights at sea, he caught no fish. It seemed like misfortune clung to him, making everyone on the sea shake their heads in disappointment. Even Manolin's mother forbade the boy from going with the old man. It was thought that the old man would give up, accepting his dismal fate, but no, amidst failure, the old man still held onto hope that bad luck would not follow him anymore. On one trip out to sea, he went alone to the Great Gulf and caught a large marlin weighing about 6.7 tons. For the old man, it was a worthy achievement after many days of waiting and hoping on the sea. He had to bring it ashore for everyone to marvel at, no one would underestimate or say anything about him anymore. It was belief in oneself, in the ability and desire to assert oneself of a laborer, a serious laborer always aiming to achieve the most deserving results.
The determination to catch the marlin spurred the old man into action, unwavering in his decision. But for an old man over 70 on a boat in the vast open sea with big waves and strong winds, would he overcome that challenge to claim his deserved reward? And it was a journey filled with countless difficulties, countless obstacles. But the harder it got, the more fierce and heroic the image of Santiago became. He was like a hero in battle, fierce and resolute. From noon to evening, from evening to night, the old man fought with the marlin, scratches on his legs, bleeding palms, numb limbs, hungry stomach, exhausted body, yet the old man continued to act, still determined to conquer it, he reminded himself: 'I will show it what a human can do and endure how long'.
One would think that once the marlin was conquered, the old man could safely return to shore. But no, the giant sharks had gathered, eager to snatch away the old man's prize. For them, the marlin was a delicious prey that they could use to snatch without expending any effort in hunting. Once again, poor old Santiago faced a new challenge, a new enemy. The exhausting days had made the old man weak but not his spirit. The sharks brazenly attacked to steal the old man's catch, the more they did, the more the old man fought relentlessly. Amidst the dark night, the old man was like a blind man in battle, but that blind man still remained determined to keep his spoils of war. The only weapon in battle was the harpoon, the old man thrust it at them, the arrogant enemies, with their sharp teeth, eagerly tore apart the catch, they ferociously thrashed causing big waves that rocked the boat. The old man strained his eyes, stood still listening to everything that was happening at this moment, a truly chilling scene.
Alone, the old man fought fiercely against the wretched, ferocious, and hungry gang, truly terrifying. The battle grew increasingly tense and intense. The sharks remained unabated or frightened by Santiago, swiftly snapping at Santiago's harpoon. With his weapon lost, the old man accepted defeat, watching the merciless sharks steal his catch? No? How could he allow his hard-earned effort, sweat, blood, and tears to be easily taken away? Quickly, he turned the boat's tiller with great strength, continuing to use it as a weapon of war, exerting all his strength to wield it, striking out in all directions, crushing the arrogant sharks. The battle showed no mercy, the old man continued resiliently on his boat, wielding the weapon against the arrogant intruders. The blows rained down to punish them, the old man resolute, relentless in battle, breaking even the oars, the life-saving blows continued. At the end of the fight, the old man spat out blood from his mouth and said: 'Swallow it down to imagine killing a human being.' A mocking statement full of contempt for the enemy. Now in the old man is bitterness and self-pride. The fish bones and the fishing boat remained as evidence of the steel spirit of Santiago - a hero in labor, ready to fight with high determination even in failure, living as a proud failure, a failure that commands respect and admiration.
Santiago becomes a beautiful image representing the brave and resilient working people. In him, there is a spirit of passion, perseverance, and a heart of steel, a person rich in experience and knows how to rise above all adversity. The challenges Santiago has overcome, the achievements he has gained after the battle are truly beautiful, truly worthy of pride.
'The Old Man and the Sea' truly deserves to be an epic ode to the majestic and extraordinary beauty of humanity. People who love nature, master nature, and conquer nature, to them, the sea is not just enemies, fierce fish, and storms, but the sea is also flesh and blood, friendship, gentle birds, a place nurturing many people to grow and mature.
The novel is written with all the dedication of a talented writer. The work has helped me understand and appreciate the labor of humanity more, believing that all beautiful aspirations are deservedly rewarded if we strive for them with all our might. The image of old man Santiago in the battle with the fierce fish forever left a strong impression on me, especially the lesson about effort, strength, courage, and faith in life.