Reading this book twice, i'm left with the same question: Did the old man fail? The first time i read the book, i thought the book and the old man's effort was tragic, no pathetic, because he didnt succeed in protecting the fish and bringing it back safely. But the more i think about it, i'm starting to see other things.
What was he really fishing for? The fish, obviously, but I also believe it was for recognition. He wanted to catch the huge fish to be respected once again by his fellow fishermen and to prove to the boy that he is not yet "dead". Just like the fish looses all of its meat and reveals its bones, the old man is overcome with fatigue and learns through his struggle that deep down in his core the boy's friendship matters most to him.
The themes of determination, love, and pride present in the book are great examples of man's attitude when faced with a challenge. I think i enjoyed the book more, and thats probably because i was prepared and even yearning to comprehend the deeper meanings of this book.
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