Life’s struggles happen daily, from a common loss of money to a loss of a family member. The worst part is that they cannot be avoided, and we must get through them. What we do with these struggles is key, and we must defy the odds to even try to do good. This is what happens with Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea, who throughout the book he overcomes many obstacles, and through the melancholy and pessimistic view of Santiago, you find a peaceful and majestic setting and storyline in The Old Man and the Sea.
During the beginning of the story, the conflict is set. When the Old Man begins again, “He had gone eighty-four days (now) without taking a fish.”(9) This struggle is constant through the story, and even begins another one with his young friend, Manolin. After that long, Manolin’s parents decided that he fish with fisherman who caught everyday, rather than with the old Santiago. Santiago regularly speaks of having Manolin with him, and this keeps the old man thinking and wishing.
During the worst parts of the story, Santiago begins to think he will not survive the excursion out to sea. He even says to himself “No one should be alone in their old age.”(48) This is another struggle, as Santiago is an old fisherman who has no family, no friends, other than his young friend Manolin. He still, however, fights on with the Marlin and stays determined to catch the fish itself, even until death.
As he begins to reel the fish in, Santiago begins to speak of it being a brother to him, and his equal. He then says that “(he has) never seen a greater or more beautiful or a calmer or more noble thing than you brother.” (92) Here, he begins to rethink his fishing ways, and wondering if what he is doing is wrong, and whether or not he should let the Marlin go, or keep it and stay determined and bring it back to the village.
As the Old Man arrives back with just the Marlin’s skeleton, Manolin brings the Old Man into an inn and nourishes him after he collapsed on the dock. He then wakes up to see Manolin giving him coffee and talks about the Marlin. Santiago then says that “Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her?” (117) All the Old Man is left with is a skeleton, yet he is happy that he caught the fish, and continues to sleep, dreaming about sea lions playing on the beach. This gives a sense that we take many things for granted in our lives, and should appreciate the little things.
The Old Man has faced several struggles, but overcame them in a sense. He caught the fish, but only has a skeleton. He is also still as poor, but his determination and courage to catch such a fish provided a good story, even after five days of fishing. Even though Manolin did not come back with the Marlin as a whole, he is content with his catch and to him, that is all that matters in his eyes.
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I. The thesis is that Santiago overcomes many obstacles. It is pretty clear and concise. I was a little confused by the setting part at the end of the sentence. It engages me because after he talked about obstacles in the introduction, I wanted to hear about Santiago's obstacles.
ReplyDeleteII. I think the second reason is the strongest. I think the quote he used backed up his opinion well. It also stood out because dying at sea is very big obstacle, bigger than the other two he was facing, that were used as example.
III. I thought the quotes used were a strength of the essay. Also, they fit into the essay smoothly. His word choice is also another strength. An example is, "During the worst parts of the story, Santiago begins to think he will not survive the excursion out to sea."
IV. One thing I would add more to is the conclusion. I think it should end a little more general, not just about Santiago. Also, there are a few spelling/punctuation mistakes. So I would just reread it.
C block: Dimitri
ReplyDelete1.) Struggles are always in life. I think the intro is a little confusing. He jumps from one thing to another.
2.) I like the quote that talks about Santiago being lonely and how he doesn’t like it. He explained it really well!! How you pit specific examples in it to make it stronger, its great!!
3.) I think the best part of the essay is how he explains each struggle and every quote the he puts in. “This is another struggle, as Santiago is an old fisherman who has no family, no friends, other than his young friend Manolin. He still, however, fights on with the Marlin and stays determined to catch the fish itself, even until death”(Dimitri’s story).
4.) I think he could work a little on the intro. It’s kind of weak but the rest of the story is really good!! Nice!
1. The thesis is all about the obstacles Santiago has to face. For the most part, it is clear and focused. It easily ensnared me in an engaging sense with your rich usage of vocabulary and visualization.
ReplyDelete2. I believe your best quote was “Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her?”. It shows how the old man had very little luck throughout the story. You identified this perfectly, and even went on as to give examples and reasons for the old man’s bad luck.
3. Your vocabulary and conventions are executed supremely, which engages the reader and makes them beg for more. This is what really stood out to me, though you also had great examples and quotes.
4. I think a little more effort good be put into the conclusion. Perhaps a world connection aside from Santiago’s own life would be good. Aside from this and a few spelling errors, I thought it went very well.
1. the thesis for this story is that everyday people have to make decisions and live with them. this is very clear and concise and makes it very good.
ReplyDelete2. there are no quotations in this essay.
3. the organization of this is very good. it makes it clear and easy to read.
4. what he could do to make this better is add quotes and examples. this would make it a lot better
1. The thesis was that many people have to face obstacles and that this is like Santiago.
ReplyDelete2. The thesis was surrounded by very good vocabulary and it drew you straight into the essay.
3. The word choice was very good. The words picked drew you into the essay. "Life’s struggles happen daily, from a common loss of money to a loss of a family member.". I relly liked this part because it was a great essay opener.
4. One thing you could do was add quotes. That would have made this a lot better and would have strengthened your reasoning.
The thesis is that people have obstacles to face everyday, just like Santiago.
ReplyDelete“Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her?”
It's very easy to read. I liked it.
You should add more quotes.
1. His thesis statement is that struggles happen every day. It's very clear.
ReplyDelete2. I liked his second quote that talked about how no one should be alone in old age. I like it because I agree with it. It stood out to me.
3. I like Dimitri's word choice. "The Old Man has faced several struggles, but overcame them in a sense. He caught the fish, but only has a skeleton. He is also still as poor, but his determination and courage to catch such a fish provided a good story, even after five days of fishing."
4. I think he could have expanded on the conclusion a little bit. But overall, he did well.
I. The thesis could be clearer. For example combine he two sentences that compose it and maybe shorten it a little bit so that it's easier to discern that it is the thesis.
ReplyDeleteII. It is hard to choose between those for for the best quotes because they all act as if you could have written them, and are integrated extremely well.
III. Your introduction is very good, you do a good job at introducing the subject in a broad manor that doesn't have to do with the book.
IV. I think your conclusion could use some work. Instead of having it all relate to the novella, broaden it similar to you introduction.
I. I think that Dimitri's thesis is kinda lacking. I think he starts to develop one, but it could be a lot stronger.
ReplyDeleteII. I think that the second body paragraph has the best quote because it is used and integrated very well, although so are his other paragraphs and quotes.
III. Dimitri's use of quotes is really good, and also his analysis is 'muy bien'!
IV. I think that both your intro and conclusion could use some cleaning up, but I think that once you do that you will have a very good essay.
The essay's thesis is that you struggle in life daily. It does engage me but it should be a little more concise and specific.
ReplyDelete“He had gone eighty-four days (now) without taking a fish.”(9). This is the strongest quote because it is very specific and supports the argument very well.
The introduction is the part of the story where the author does best. "Life’s struggles happen daily, from a common loss of money to a loss of a family member. The worst part is that they cannot be avoided, and we must get through them. What we do with these struggles is key, and we must defy the odds to even try to do good."
I think that the author could have been more descriptive. It would make the essay more interesting.
The thesis is all about the obstacles Santiago has to face. For the most part, it is clear and concise
ReplyDeleteyour best quote was “Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her?”. It shows how the old man had very little luck throughout the story
the into was really good This is what really stood out to me, though you also had great examples and quotes.
One thing you could do was add quotes. That would have made this a lot better and would have strengthened your reasoning.