Correct option is D
Explanation:
The Old Man and the Sea (1952) is written by Ernest Hemingway, one of the most prominent American writers of the 20th century. This novella is a symbolic exploration of human perseverance, suffering, and the struggle against nature, embodied in the character of Santiago, an aging fisherman.
Santiago's battle with the giant marlin represents not just the physical struggle for survival but also the mental and emotional endurance required to face life’s challenges.
The novella's spare, direct writing style exemplifies Hemingway's signature minimalism, where much is left unsaid, allowing the reader to interpret deeper meanings and emotions.
Hemingway's novella won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953, solidifying his place as one of the great figures in American literature.
Information Booster:
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) is a Nobel Prize-winning American author known for his concise and impactful prose.
His style, often called the Iceberg Theory, focuses on economy of language and leaves much beneath the surface.
The Old Man and the Sea is widely considered one of Hemingway’s masterpieces. The novella is about Santiago, an old, poor fisherman who has not caught a fish in 84 days. His struggle with the marlin he hooks represents the universal fight for meaning and dignity in life.
Themes in The Old Man and the Sea:
- Perseverance and suffering: Santiago’s fight with the marlin, despite his old age, reflects human endurance and the determination to achieve a goal. Even when he is physically exhausted, he continues to struggle, symbolizing the human spirit’s resilience.
- Isolation: The novella also explores Santiago's loneliness, not only as a fisherman but also as a man growing older. His mental and emotional strength helps him endure solitude.
- Man vs. Nature: Santiago’s battle with the marlin is a metaphor for humanity’s struggle against nature—a fight that, while often marked by defeat, also showcases dignity and pride in the face of adversity.
- Hemingway is known for his economical and straightforward writing style. He uses simple sentences and avoids flowery language to focus on the core emotions and actions of his characters.
- His prose is often sparse, and much is conveyed through what is not directly stated, allowing readers to read between the lines and derive deeper meaning from the story.
- The Old Man and the Sea solidified Hemingway’s reputation as one of the great American writers and earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953.
- The novella was later instrumental in Hemingway being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, largely for his contribution to literature through works like The Old Man and the Sea.
- Its themes of struggle, honor, and endurance continue to resonate with readers worldwide.
Additional Knowledge:
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"Gabriel Garcia Marquez" →
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"Joseph Conrad" →
Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British author known for novels like Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim, which examine themes of imperialism, morality, and human nature in a broader social and political context.