Then there is the other secret. There isn't any symbolysm [sic]. The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a fish. The shark are all sharks no better and no worse. All the symbolism that people say is shit. What goes beyond is what you see beyond when you know.

Summary

This quote from Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Old Man and the Sea" challenges the idea of symbolism in literature. Hemingway argues that there is no hidden meaning behind the characters and objects in the story; they are simply what they appear to be. He dismisses the idea of symbolic interpretations and emphasizes that what truly matters is the deeper understanding one gains from personal experience and insight, rather than searching for hidden meanings that may not exist. Ultimately, it suggests that the true essence of a story can be found in its surface-level reality, rather than abstract symbolism.