SAMIRA HUSSEIN
English 118;Farbman
Spring 1997

Many people believe that when people get old they become useless. For that reason many of the old people believe that is true and they really believe that they are useless. However, since I read The Old Man and the Sea, I realized something else about the characteristics of old people. Santiago's age does not mean anything to him. He believes that he can do anything he wants.

Santiago is very strong physically and mentally. He does not believe that he gets old and it's time for him to relax as many old people believe. Santiago goes to fish every day like he used to do when he was a young man. Some times he spends a lot of time fishing, and he comes back without having even one fish. One time he went to fish and he spent three days on the sea. During his trip he did not eat anything, or sleep either. He caught a huge fish . Santiago struggled a lot to catch the huge fish and protected it from other fishes. It was a very difficult situation for Santiago, but he did not give up. He fought the sharks and got back with what was left of his big fish.

However, all these factors did not affect Santiago psychologically. He did not believe that he was too to go and fish by himself.He went to fish to eventhough he knew that it would be a difficult trip. Santiago believed that he was a good, strong, fisherman and he would be like that for the rest of his life.

What you believe is very important. It makes a big change in your attitude and characteristics. Most of the old people get sick; and if you think of that, you will realize that these old people are not sick. And when they think of their age they believe that they are old enough to be complaining about doing anything.