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Hemingway may be the most misunderstood writer of the 20th Century. Many thought him to be an atheist because of a remark in A Farewell to Arms and his seeming lack of discussion of God. But Hemingway pointed out in his Nobel acceptance comments that "a writer should write what he has to say and not speak it." The Nick Adams stories, distributed throughout his larger works here and there were also a bit of a mystery. But we finally understand when we encounter Santiago, who is unlike Hemingway's other protagonists. Through Santiago we see that Hemingway tells us the Gospel in letter too large to read. All grown up now from his days in "Up North" Michigan, Nick Adams is now catching bigger fish. He is a changed man. The local people call him by a new name. Through his words we see that Santiago finally understands. We can finally understand too. Santiago shows us the way. He points us to the truth. In the end, the Solomon "in our time" points us to the same conclusion the Solomon of old points us to. Having had it all, and done it all, he points us to "the whole duty of man." Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

"I'm sorry fish. I went out too far."

Santiago apologizes to the fish, repeatedly. He does not apologize for slaying the fish. He apologizes for going out too far. A confession. He must slay the fish even though he loves and respects the fish. The fish is his brother. Santiago must slay his brother in order to be redeemed among the people. It is what has to be done. And when it is done Santiago tells us:

"I have killed this fish, who is my brother."

It had to be so. It had to be done. Santiago is redeemed among the people. He finally understands.



Santiago

Santiago, Santiago.
Not the boy he used to be in a Mackinaw coat.

Santiago, Santiago
He finally under stands, he finally understands.
Wishing on the one hand, praying for the other.
Sorry for going out too far, Not for slaying his brother.

Santiago, Santiago.
He finally understands, he finally understands.
It’s not by the meat that they steal, that redeems a man,
but by the blood at your feet, dripping from your hand.

Santiago, Santiago.
He finally understands, he finally understands.
Let’s be a little Earnest here, at the end of the show.
It doesn’t matter that they don’t know the fish,
You didn’t slay him for to amuse tourists.

Santiago, Santiago
Not the boy he used to be in a Mackinaw coat.

Santiago, Santiago.
He finally understands, he finally understands.
~~~
He finally understands, he finally understands.

Santiago, Santiago.
He finally understands, he finally understands.