Abstract：The Old Man and the Sea, which was published in1952, got huge success. There are a great number of academic studies about the themes of this novella. This thesis analyses the novella’s theme from the view of exploring the meaning of life. What is the meaning of life? It is to be a true man who cannot be defeated. The first part of the main body in the thesis is an introduction to Hemingway and his novella, The Old Man and the Sea. Then, it turns to discuss the special qualities of an undefeated man, which includes courage, endurance and faith in life. At last, it expounds how to be a true man who cannot be defeated. It also has three aspects such as getting honor in struggle, defeat and death, looking for the inner spiritual success and taking pride as the source of greatness and determination.

Key words: The Old Man and the Sea; Hemingway; the meaning of life; an undefeated man; a true man

中文摘要：老人与海1952年一经出版便取得了巨大的成功，大量的学者研究这篇著名小说。本文从探索生命的意义这一角度分析了老人与海的主题。生命的意义是什么？那就是一个人可以被打死，但不可以被打败。本文第一部分简述了海明威和他的老人与海，接着分析了一个不会被打败的人的优秀品质，勇敢，坚韧，还有信念。最后，文章扩展到怎样做一个不被打败的人，那就是用一颗真实的心对待奋斗，失败和死亡，去寻找内心的胜利，只有骄傲，才能作为伟大的源泉。

关键词：《老人与海》；海明威；生命的意义；一个不会被打败的人；真正的人