Destroyed but Not Defeated

"But man is not made for defeat," the old man said. "A man can be destroyed but not

defeated" (Hemingway 103). How does the old man himself support or negate this idea?

Santiago went through a lot of struggles to catch a fish only to lose it to a shark. However he said "a man can be destroyed [however the man can't be] defeated" (Hemingway 103). There is a lot of meaning with this simple quote. The triumph of catching the fish sent the man through despair when a shark comes up and destroyed the old man's confidence. Santiago told himself to "be calm and strong" while he was attempting to catch the fish (Hemingway 91). The idea of being calm and strong connects with the original quote about defeat. While the man is strong, he can't be defeated. Being strong doesn't mean showing off muscles. The man could have told himself to emotionally be strong. After losing the fight with the shark, his destroyed him as Santiago had waited 85 long days to catch a fish. When the shark came up quietly to the old man and the fish, it was noted that it was "built to feed on all the fishes" and Santiago's prize was no exception (Hemingway 101). Santiago knew the shark showcased no fear and would do exactly what it has been taught to do—to hunt and kill for its food. The old man and the shark put up a fight, and even though the shark claimed the fish for itself, the old man would not admit defeat. The old man's accomplishments may have been destroyed within a moment, but the old man would not accept defeat. He held his head up high and thought "about something cheerful" (Hemingway 104). The old man was closer to shore and would get there quicker versus having a 40 pound fish weigh him down. Santiago thought about his actions and questions whether killing the fish was sin or not. Santiago had said that