Some people will go far to get what they want, but how many individuals would be willing to die for the sake of creating their own destiny? Deciding the meaning of life with sincerity and passion is the core of existentialism. This philosophy plays an integral role in Hemingway's writing, as well as in his personal life. The paradigms of existentialism appear often in Hemingway's book, The Old Man and the Sea, especially when Santiago, the old man, is determined to bring down the great marlin he chases, wants to prove to Manolin what a strange old man he is, and fights against the brutal sharks when there is little chance of success. The Old Man and the Sea focuses the plot mainly on Santiago's fight against the marlin. Existentialism makes its appearance when Santiago chooses to chase the marlin, stay with him the whole way, and fight tooth and nail in the end. “My choice was to go there to find it beyond all men,” is how Santiago explains his actions to challenge the fish (Hemingway 50). He mentions how he was born to be a fisherman, and by chasing marlin, he will give his life the meaning of existence. Santiago also insists on staying with the fish until one of them dies, which exemplifies his will to achieve his goals in life. He endures obstacles such as nausea, cramps and sleep deprivation because he does not want to give up and surrender to his fate. When it comes to the final fight, Santiago puts all the pain, strength and pride he has left against the fish to take it down. Despair begins to creep in when Santiago finds it difficult to reel in the marlin, but he manages to overcome it with all his will. He knows it's up to him to create this important moment in his li......middle of paper......Biography. DVD."Existentialism." Philosophy - AllAboutPhilosophy.org. Network. September 16, 2011..Hemingway, Ernest. “Indian camp, hills like white elephants.” The complete short stories of Ernest Hemingway. New York: Scribner's, 1987. Print.Hemingway, Ernest. The old man and the sea. New York: Macmillan, 1986. Print."The Influence of Ernest Hemingway - Introduction." Literary criticism of the twentieth century. Ed.Thomas J. Schoenberg Lawrence J. Trudeau. vol. 162. Gale Cengage, 2005. eNotes.com. September 16, 2011. “University of Delaware: ERNEST HEMINGWAY IN HIS TIME.” University of Delaware Library. Special Collections, 21 December 2010. Web. 16 September. 2011. .