4. SANTIAGO’S FIGHT AGAINST SHARKS
Q: How did Santiago fight against the sharks? OR Who wins the combat between Santiago and the sharks?
Answer: Santiago’s combat against the sharks brings out his valour and craftsmanship. When after killing the fish, Santiago set sail for home, the blood of the marlin attracted sharks. A shark came but he killed that shark. He was not afraid of invading sharks and said: “But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
After this, the old man killed two more sharks. But, they took away with them a quarter of the marlin’s best meat. Then another shark came and broke his knife. The old man killed two more sharks with the help of his club. He was not ready to give up his struggle. He decided: “I will fight them until I die.”
After this the old man killed a pack of sharks. But the club and tiller were also gone. During the night, some sharks came but he ignored them and sailed on. When he came back, the marlin was nothing else but a skeleton. Though he had lost the battle, he had gained moral victory. He was defeated physically but not spiritually. (Words: 182)