The Old Man and the Sea is a masterpiece by Ernest Hemingway, one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. The simple plot contains no symbolism or philosophy; Hemingway just vividly describes a joyous triumph won in a relentless, agonizing battle by an old man who never ceases to struggle. With its simple and powerful language, the work has been praised for exhibiting Hemingway’s belief that although life is a fight and defeat its ultimate outcome, the dignity of the battle is itself worthy of respect.

?

　　There isnt any symbolism. The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a fish. The shark are all sharks no better and no worse. All the symbolism that people say is shit. What goes beyond is what you see beyond when you know.

　　--Ernest Hemmingway

?

　　海明威是20世紀美國文壇最為人所熟知的作家，其寫作風格受昔日擔任記者的影響，文字精簡。在其作品中，榮獲諾貝爾文學獎的英文經典名著《老人與海》，是海明威晚年最具代表性的作品。其內容沒有過多的角色，沒有浮華不實的敘述，以單純精練的筆觸描寫一位老人與大海及命運的搏鬥。《老人與海》於1952年問世以來，在文壇上一直享譽盛名，甚至讓海明威獨特的寫作風格在當時的美國文壇掀起一股仿效風潮。

?

　　在此部作品中，海明威用獨樹一幟的筆鋒刻畫出生動的場景，鮮活地表達出老人的內心對話與孤寂。讓人彷彿置身其中，嗅聞著大海的氣息；看著魚群在海中穿梭，心情也隨著老人的心境起伏跌宕。而其中最激動人心的，莫過於老人不願向命運低頭的堅毅及一份不輕易放棄的精神。在與大魚纏鬥的過程中，數度的困境和打擊，都無法讓他退縮。即使旁人投以嘲笑或憐憫，老人也不自暴自棄，仍踏著自己堅定的步伐，走在自己的人生路上。

?

　　這位老人正是海明威筆下典型的硬漢（Code Hero）：

?

　　一位正直磊落的漢子，在沸沸騰騰、如牛負重、充滿磨難的世界裡，

　　仍能始終秉持著骨氣和勇氣，堅忍不拔。

　　A man who lives correctly, following the ideals of honor, courage, and endurance?

　　in a world that is sometimes chaotic, often stressful, and always painful.