Striking parallelism

MANILA, Philippines - I have veered my readings toward classic literature. Two things fueled this change in direction: love for words and passion for writing. The Old Man and The Sea, written by Ernest Hemingway, was responsible for the third one: symbolism with a striking parallelism to my own personal experience. The acclaimed literary masterpiece won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and played a large part in his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.

This classic novella opens with the story of an old fisherman who has gone 84 days without taking a fish. In the first 40 days, a boy, who is very fond of him, is with him. But after 40 days without fish, the boy’s parents forbid him to go with the old man, who is now finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky.

At this point, it looks like defeat is written all over his face, but the old man rises to the challenge. He sets sail for three days and comes home with his prized catch: a giant marlin. The journey is definitely not a walk in the park. He is relentless in his agonizing battle with the giant marlin in the Gulf Stream. As if this wasn’t enough, sharks prey on the carcass that leaves a trail of blood. Fighting for dear life, he clubs them all to death.

I was enthralled by symbols generously spread out in the entire novella; they surprisingly struck a chord:

The sail was patched with flour sacks.

The sail has weathered many storms. I, too, had my share of storms, but the power of prayer helped me “patch” my sail.

It looked like the flag of permanent defeat.

With no catch for 84 days, it seems like the probability of catching one is nil. Similarly, I had sent dozens of résumés to various companies for the past 30 days; not one had given me a ring.

Anyone can be a fisherman in May.

Definitely, the litmus test of a person’s character cannot be done during fair weather. True character manifests itself in times of adversity. The old man simply refuses to accept defeat despite his unfavorable situation. Surely, there must be a window of opportunity for me. A lucrative employment other than an nine-to-five job is a viable option.

Age is my alarm clock. Why do old men wake so early? Is it to have one longer day?

During my youth, I could not survive a day in school with less than eight hours of sleep. As years went by, the number automatically dwindled to six hours. Sometimes I do not need to set the alarm clock. My elders can get by with barely five hours. I have not reached that level yet. Oversleeping makes a person sluggish.

What a miserable fish raw. I will never go in a boat again without salt or limes.

The old man regrets not bringing supplies along with him. Meaning, we must prepare for any contingency. Months before my recent retirement, a relative informed me that his company had a vacant position for an accountant. I laid my cards on the table –– I can only leave the company after my 20th anniversary. I was made to believe that I could transfer when I was ready. I have not heard from him since I e-mailed my résumé last month. I was completely caught off-guard. I chided myself for not having plan B. 

He was comfortable but suffering, although he did not admit the suffering at all.

The old man suffered cuts and bruises during his battle with the giant marlin, but he had made himself comfortable despite the agonizingly slow process. I have made myself comfortable by honing my craft –– writing. But beneath this serene facade lies an agitated mind; challenged by the thought of what to do next.

But then nothing is easy. Pain does not matter to man. From his pain, he knew he was not dead.

Pain is inevitable. It is a driving force that makes or breaks the spirit, depending on how we rise up to the challenge. It is a constant reminder that we are still alive, for the dead knows no pain.

It is silly not to hope.

The old man patiently waits for his prized catch. I realize that all hope is not lost. I anchor my trust in Him.

It is better to be lucky, but I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.

The old man keeps his lines straighter than anyone did, so that at each level in the darkness of the stream there would be bait waiting exactly where he wished it to be for any fish that swam there. This is akin to planning and preparation. So that when opportunity –– or luck as they call it –– knocks, you are ready to grab it. Nothing is left to chance.

Luck is a thing that comes in any forms and who can recognize her?

Only those who are vigilant in spotting opportunities that lurk in every nook and cranny can recognize luck. I am keeping my eyes and ears open for any opportunity that comes my way.

Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.

Definitely, now is the time to assess my skills, make use of them, and God-willing, succeed in every endeavor I take.

Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.

The old man looked feeble with an empty catch, but he refused to accept defeat. Now I am emboldened by this line. I must not give up.

The old man was dreaming about the lions.

He is dreaming about his youth –– his days in Africa. His indefatigable spirit is played to the fore. I realize that age is just a number. What we were capable of doing in our youth, we can still do it now.

“Brevity and powerful” describe Ernest Hemingway’s writing style. Simple and vivid descriptions of events characterize his work. He stirred my soul with this classic masterpiece and propelled me to move forward and fight my own battles –– wisely.

THIS WEEK’S WINNER

Janet Locsin-Lim is a graduate of BSBA Accounting from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. She recently retired from the corporate world after serving for more than 20 years, and is currently a financial adviser trainee.