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Who Is Chopin A Hero

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When people are asked if they are suffering, most will never miss an opportunity to complain. It takes true strength to answer, “No longer,” or to hold one’s tongue against the pain. A hero will never complain, never give up, and never give blame unto someone undeserving. In this way, Hemingway understood the authentic qualities of a hero: a man who recognizes the brevity of life and bravery in death, never-ending pain and acceptance of loss, the models of courage and honor, and the power of action over words. Two men exemplify these attributes more than most. Frédéric Chopin, the world renowned eighteenth century pianist, and Hemingway’s own Santiago from The Old Man and the Sea are similar in their loyalty, their degree of skill, and their …show more content…
In spite of his father’s French heritage, Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw, his Polish mother’s hometown (Funk & Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia 2014). When Chopin began his education at the age of four, he was placed in a Polish school, and later a Polish conservatory for his growing piano skills (Funk & Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia 2014).. In the greatest since, Frederic’s heart belonged to Poland. He was born in Poland, are despite frequent trips to Paris, expected to die there. Beginning in 1831, however, most of Poland’s citizens not caught in civil war fled the country as refugees, in an immigration known as the Great Polish Immigration (Chastin 1-3). Most would never return to see Poland united, and this included Chopin. However, “an expatriate, he was deeply loyal to his war-torn homeland (Funk & Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia 2014).” Although Frederic would live most of his life in France, till the day he died he declared Poland was his true home. After the Great Immigration, Frederic tried to remain in touch with Polish friends. Of those friends, Chopin was particularly close with Maria Wodzińska, of the Wodzińska family. The Wodzińskas too had been …show more content…
Santiago showed his loyalty to both the sea and Manolin. Despite his failings, Santiago never once blamed the oceans or its creatures. Even when the sharks ate the Marlin, he still stated the loss of his fish was his fault. He respects everything about the sea. Santiago believed everything that resided in the sea was his brethren. Santiago has lived by the sea all his life. He is a simple Cuban fisherman. If he abandoned the sea, he would have nothing left to depend on except the boy. In the same way, Frédéric could never forget his homeland of Poland. He was Polish bred, and even though he lived in France most of his adult life, he still held onto his Polish ideology. Santiago is recognized by his loyalty to the boy. Even with Manolin being forced to abandon him, Santiago holds no grudge and wishes for the boy to succeed. Furthermore, Santiago continuously wishes for the boy to accompany him during his journey with the Marlin. Since Manolin was a child, he has been with the Old Man, learning his trade. Santiago’s deep faithfulness in the boy comes with the realization that Manolin is his legacy. Similarly, Frédéric Chopin always wish to be with Maria, however, he held no resentment after losing her, only sadness. In the beginning of the novel, Santiago is able to determine the size and direction of a school of flying fish. He does this by

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