After finishing the old man I came to think that it didn’t seem to have and ending. the book just seemed to come to an end when it could’ve led to an ending while fishing with the boy back out on see. The finishing of the book also brought up some questions on the ending about what has happened in the world while he was gone? or what has the boy been doing since the old man left to fish? Also I questioned about why didn’t the boy come with him the first time instead of asking him to go fishing with him after his long trip with the fish? I also wondered why the boy was crying about after knowing that the old man has already came back and why does he continue to cry over and over? I still believe that the symbols I wrote about previously still apply however I believe that in the end there were still a few more symbols. One was that of how he caught the fish but the sharks ate it. This symbolizes that life may bring great stories but ironic endings. Another was that of the boy and how much he cared that he has returned. That to me symbolizes how much you don’t know people care until they think you’re gone. This is my reaction to the end of the book.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I find your observations interesting, especially the idea of the symbol of life’s irony - so true.
Also, I enjoy this question: I also wondered why the boy was crying about after knowing that the old man has already came back and why does he continue to cry over and over?
It makes me pause before putting too happy a spin on the old man’s situation. If it were that happy, then why can’t the boy stop crying? That’s a great question and it makes me wonder if the man’s situation is more dire than I realize - if he is broken beyond repair, so to speak.