Life could always be worse…..

Dear Hemingway,

I’m a high school student so I really have no literary ability to critique your writings. But I have read a lot of books in my years of life. Over 170 to be exact…. So I have a pretty good handle of what to look for in books. And boy do you got it.

I like how you don’t get jumbled up in the mix of adjectives. You keep it simple so the reader can understand. But sometimes thats not all that great. Some people think the lack of adjectives and “shiny” words make your stories lame, boring, and unimaginative. I just think they can’t comprehend that simple things can be beautiful.

This simplistic and supposed unsentimental way of writing is probably what made you so popular. Ok…..maybe not to the average teenager coasting through their English class. But to the rest of the world that appreciates the beauty of your work, they think you are a literary “god”. That’s a little cheesy, I know, but you are almost to that level….maybe not since you had to go kill yourself…. gods can’t die……..i think

You are read throughout the world, in many English classrooms. You are almost as important in an English class Shakespeare. But you’re better because people can actually understand what you are writing. You write in American English not Old English.

I loved Old man and the Sea. I showed me that I too can handle the problem that I’m going through. If a fictitious old man can handle all that pain, both physical and emotional so can I. Well not really the physical part….I’m a wimp at times. But emotionally, I’m strong. So thank you for inspiring me to stay strong.

Sincerely,

Jassy

Mostly American people seem to believe that the American man is a honest, hardworking, good-looking, and respectful human being. Sure you might be able to find someone like that , but there is few to none. Some people also believe the “American man” is someone like a celebrity. Some one that everyone wants to be and idolizes. I really do not believe that. But to go into what i believe would be harsh and it would take to long. But lets just say my idea of the American man is not to appealing. Good bye!

I don’t get why people think the old man is insane or crazy. It really annoys the bejeebus out of me. I mean seriously, if you were out on the wide open sea you wouldn’t want to be alone. Would you?….I wouldn’t. But since he was by himself he stayed sane with the only way possible, by talking to himself.

“‘But you have not slept yet, old man,’ he said aloud. ‘It is half a day and a night and now another day and you have not slept. You must devise a way so that you sleep a little if he is quiet and steady. If you do not sleep you might become unclear in the head.”(77)

He also talked to himself to remind him of things he needed to do and to run things through his mind. It always helps to speak things aloud. So in my opinion the old man was no where near crazy. Maybe a little foggy in the head but definitely not crazy. The end…..Auf Weidersehen!

    Hmmmm…..Symbols….That is a hard thing for me, everything in this world could mean something entirely different. I mean a half a glass filled with water can tell what type of outlook on life you have. A puppy can be childish innocence, joy, and even hope maybe.

I think the sea, the lions, and the fish are all symbols. To me the sea is a symbol of hardship and maybe pride. I would try to explain that but I really do not know how. It’s just what comes to my mind and how I feel. The lions are symbols of days past, joy, and wonderment. The fish is a symbol of achievement and joy.

Sadly, this book seems so redundant I can’t remember the exact section. I like this book though…. I just got lost when I was gone that day…

“The male fish always let the female fish feed first…..and all the time the male had stayed with her.”(49)

This line stands out to me because it shows how the old man could relate and feel connected to the fish and its fellows. Maybe he felt this way with his wife, maybe for the boy.

Sometimes I really believe animals are more humane then humans. The few humans that are most like these humane animals, are the most gentle natured people. The old man has a reason to connect with these animals because, in reality, he has the kindness and wit of them. I wish there were more people like the marlins.