The book tells the story of an old fisherman Santiago. After eighty-four days without fish, he catches a giant marlin, only to lose it to sharks, returning with nothing but its skeleton. The famous line “A man can be destroyed but not defeated” reveals the theme.Though Santiago fails in the end, he never gives up fighting. True victory lies in courage and dignity rather than material gains. This short novel inspires us to keep brave when facing hardships. It is a timeless classic worth reading.