can someone critique my essay, please? :) here's my instructions:
Prompt 1:
Considering what you have learned about Hemingway, his journalistic style, and how his experiences influence his writing, write a prediction for The Old Man and the Sea.
Who is the old man?
What kind of a man is he?
What kind of struggle is he facing?
What type of fish will he pursue?
How will Hemingway make this adventure come alive?
Writing Reminders:
*Write a multiparagraph essay including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
*Give support for your prediction using prior knowledge and information learned in the lesson.
*Be creative while thinking about the setting, the character, and the task that the old man faces.
here's my essay:
The Old Man and the Sea Predictions
The Old Man and the Sea is a novella by Ernest Hemingway. The author draws from his own life experiences catching large fish in the Gulf of Mexico in writing this story. Hemingway is known for his adventurous lifestyle and many accomplishments, and not just in writing. He's broken a world record in fishing, hunted for game in Africa, and was even an ambulance driver in World War I. Hemingway adapted all of these experiences into stories, and the Old Man and the Sea is no exception to this rule.
The titular character, the old man, is Santiago, a man who utilizes the sea for his livelihood. He probably has a connection to the sea, judging by the title. He could be respectful and admiring of the sea, or have a heated, angry conflict with it. Maybe he's not having luck fishing lately, or is stranded on an island, alone. The sea will most likely play a large role in this story, whether it's something Santiago enjoys, or something that is more than merely a job.
Santiago is an older man, so he is most likely knowledgeable in his work field and about many other things through experience, study, or both. He could be frail because of his age or an injury, and frustrated with the limitations of his body. He could also be strong for his age and very spry. He could also be retired and bored with the tepidness of a life devoid of the excitement of making great catches in the middle of the wide open sea, so he decides to come out of retirement, or maybe try for one last, great capture.
I think the struggle he'd be facing would be catching the great fish, as well as an internal struggle against his age and his slowing body. He could also struggle against the elements. A storm could blow into the mainland, or even on the sea, making it difficult to weather. Santiago could also be injured while trying to catch the fish, or hit some rough waters and be blown off course in his pursuit and end up in a place he's never been before, far away from home or help.
The old man will probably pursue a large type of fish. He could try to catch a shark, a marlin, a tuna, or even a mythical fish or famed sea serpent that roams the ocean waters near where he makes his home. Something like a large fish would be very hard to land into your boat and then bring home without causing any harm to it, and I predict that Santiago will have trouble keeping the fish intact and fresh.
I think that Hemingway will bring this story to life by imbuing it with his own experience, making it really realistic and true to life and using his knowledge of fishing and traveling over the sea to aid him in describing the events of this story. I think he'll also add real-life dynamics and real feelings and thoughts to characterize Santiago and make us more familiar with him and the way he thinks about the world and the sea.
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