Whether they try to or not, their mind is constantly wanting to achieve something. Some people work hard to accomplish their goals, and others hardly give an attempt, so they fail. Some people work harder than anyone else and still cannot succeed. It is so hard to keep trying when losing a struggle, but it is not impossible. As Ernest Hemingway suggests in The Old Man and the Sea, believing in yourself is what a person needs to do in order to keep on going; never giving up takes courage, inner strength, and pride.
Santiago's courage helped him succeed in catching the Marlin. For example, he thought, "But thank God, they are not as intelligent as we who kill them; although they are more noble and more able" (63). Santiago's thoughts helped him ease his worried spirit, and continue on with his purpose. He had never seen a fish so large before, so when the Marlin came out of the water, his thoughts helped give him courage to continue. He needed not to be afraid though. For example, ".he looked ahead and saw a flight of wild ducks etching themselves against the sky over the water.and he knew no man was ever alone on the sea." (61). Santiago was not alone out at sea, the comfort he felt from the surroundings helped display his bravery. He was no longer working alone at his task. The courage he had while catching the fish was given to him through his thoughts and experiences.
Inner strength, as well as physical strength, is needed for Santiago to succeed. For example, Hemingway said, "He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and the lions on the beach" (25). The lions represent strength. He attained his physical strength from his inner strength. In addition, at the end of the book it says, "The old man was dreaming about the lions" (127). Santiago had strength throughout the voyage of catching the marlin, and it was given to him through his remembrance of the lions in his youth.
