Tom King however took the approach that he was better than others and had more strength in him. "Yes, he had had more fights in him than most of them- (London 3). Tom King paints the idea that he is ahead of everyone else and that is what is going to separate him from others. Nevertheless, the two both use their experience to help them minimize their obstacles.
Santiago and Tom King can be said to be professionals in their area of work. After attaining the experience they have one can also acquire the tricks of the trade, collectively giving them helpful tips that gives them an advantage. After fishing for many years, Santiago had picked up a few things that fisherman had not yet known. He picks up tricks of the trade that separate him from other fishermen, additionally minimizing the obstacles he had to face. For one, Santiago knows exactly how the fish is breathing and that it would not go down too deep and die. "And now he has jumped more than a dozen times and filled the sacks along his back with air and he cannot go down deep to die where I cannot bring him up" (Hemingway 83). In addition, Santiago picks up the idea of following birds, which lead him to a school of fish. He used the birds as a source of navigation that eventually did lead him to a school of fish that he was going to pursue. "The bird is a great help" (Hemingway 38). Tom King may not have been the strongest man, yet he knew how to maneuver his body to hurt his opponent without using much physical strength. "But later on, when the long ring battles had begun to tell, he would regret that knuckle and look back and remember how he smashed it on Tom King's head" (London 4). This quote exemplifies that Tom King was smart enough to have Sandel smash his knuckles on his head, therefore causing his hand to be in extreme pain.
Both Santiago and Tom King go through a world of pain, yet they endure and use their wisdom to overcome their battles.
