Dramatic irony in Alice Gerstenberg's "Fourteen"

Santiago said, “a man can be destroyed but not defeated.” in essence he says that a. defeat is likely when you sail alone. b. man can face defeat so it is important to learn from your mistakes and be prepared. c. sharks can always defeat man unless man is well prepared. d. man can be hurt and even destroyed but still have the ability to control how it is viewed.

What’s the importance of gaining a general understanding of and interpretation of the work of literature.

What point is the author trying to make by comparing the travel times of the first transcontinental railroad and the first transcontinental flight?