The Old Man and the Sea is one of Ernest Hemingway's most enduring works and won him the Nobel Prize in 1954. After reading the book, I am impressed by the main characters in this story.
             Compared to other writers' colorful words, the words chosen by Hemingway seem simple but intensive! They can create a certain atmosphere and vivify the characters. I could say the characters are brought about by these remarkably incredible words. Without these simple and concise words, the characters won't impress me deeply. The form of the story may be simple, and the language plain as daylight, but the inner meaning, the latent content should be perceived with readers' imaginative and emotional effort. According to readers' power, everyone has his or her interpretation to externalize the mental pictures created in the author's mind.
             When I was a high school student, I read this story. At that time, I thought the old man brave because he decides to go catch a big fish on the 85th day after 84 days without catching something. On the other hand, I thought he stupid because the man knows he is not prepared for what is to come but he still keeps on catching a marlin and sparing no effort to protect it until he realizes all his efforts are futile. But now, I reread the story and see it in a new light.
             There is a saying that it's a tragedy that one lacks confidence in oneself. After 84 days without catching a fish, the old man still doesn't lose hope. Then, during the process to catch and kill the marlin, Santiago thinks back to triumphs of his past in order to give himself more confidence in the present. So, I admire him for his confidence and determination. Though Santiago lacks of success, he does not destroy his spirit, as his "cheerful and undefeated" eyes show.
             A saying that "A man is not made for defeat...a man can be destroyed, but not defeated." gives me a deep impression. Hemingway doesn&apo...