Destroyed But Not Defeated
"A man can be destroyed but not defeated" is the most important sentence in the novella. Man can be destroyed because human body is weak and mortal. However, man cannot be defeated if his spirit is gallant, his failure is avoidable and his attitude is optimistic.
Firstly, destruction connotes "physical damage". Santiago's lacerated hands, fatigued body and 'something broken' in his chest show that he is destroyed. However, defeat implies "spiritual damage". Santiago's refusal to quit prove that he has a gallant spirit that can never be defeated.
Secondly, destruction leads to "failure". The sharks destroy the marlin and Santiago fails to fetch the whole on the shore. However, failure is a temporary detour or delay, not defeat. No doubt, Santiago has failed but is undefeated because he has eluded defeat by hope, pride and faith.
Thirdly, man's attitude determines a fact. "And pain does not matter to a man" is a fact for Santiago because he thinks it so. Similarly, "A man can be destroyed but not defeated" is a fact, a principle, a philosophy and a morality for all those people who think it so.
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