Analysis Old Man And The Sea

833 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Is the old man and sea a tale of success

“A man can be destroyed but not defeated”. In Earnest Hemingway’s novella The Old Man and the Sea Santiago, the old man, faced many difficult challenges. Whether it was fighting off sharks to catching a huge marlin Santiago showed that he will not be defeated. In this novella Santiago doesn’t show defeat in the first 85 days without a fish, when he has the marlin on the line, to when he tries to bring the fish back. Santiago doesn’t show defeat in the first 85 days. After forty days Manolin's parents decided that "the old man was now and definitely salao, which is the worst form of unlucky"(Page 9). This sentence shows one of the novel's themes, a struggle against fate and it also emphasizes Santiago's lack of success. The way Hemingway describes Santiago boat "The sail was patched with flour sacks and, furled, it looked like the flag of permanent defeat"(Page 9) develops the feeling that Santiago is defeated. But then Hemingway describes Santiago’s looks as, “… old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated"(Page 10). The description shows Hemingway’s comparison of Santiago to the sea and suggests that just like the sea, Santiago’s spirit is powerful and that even though he may seem defeated his spirit is not. When preparing to leave on day 84 Santiago describes the smell "…he left the smell of the land behind and rowed out into the clean early morning smell of the ocean"(Hemingway, 28). Next, he uses sight: "He saw the phosphorescence of the Gulf weed in the water"(Hemingway, 28). And lastly, with hearing: "...He heard the trembling sound as the flying fish left the water"(Hemingway, 28). This use of different imagery helps create a description of the sea and all its power. The novel... ... middle of paper ... ...with Manolin because of his lack of luck, the boy says he will bring the luck. In the last sentence of the novella, "the old man was dreaming of lions, (Hemingway, 127)" which is a symbol of strength to show Santiago still has some fight in him. After this whole trial Santiago, remains the same unsuccessful fisherman but undefeated just like before. But his goal was to catch the fish and he did just that. Santiago showed he will not be defeated in the first 85 days, when he catches the fish, and when he brings the fish back. Even though it may have been easier to give up and accept defeat, Santiago fought till the very end. His pride and triumphs over adversity show that even though all the odds are against you do not ever give up. Santiago did just that and even though he was never able to sell the fish for profit he had his own triumph which was catching the fish.

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Archetype In The Old Man And The Sea

    524 Words  | 2 Pages

    Having the option to leave it, he chooses not to take that path because he is staying challenged with the fish and doesn’t want to fail at it. Through exhaustion, dehydration, and phlegm, he gathers the courage to stay with this fish that has continued such a battle for so long. Hemingway’s usage of dialogue between Santiago and the fish highlights their will to keep fighting. “I wonder why he jumped, the old man thought. He jumped almost as though to show me how big he was I know now, anyway, he thought. I wish I could show him what sort of man I am”(pg 63) The fish is trying to intimidate Santiago almost conveying that he will not give up without saying a word. Santiago senses this and wishes he could show the fish how “big” he is. “‘Fish,” he said softly, aloud, “I’ll stay with you until I am dead.’” (pg. 51) Santiago is declaring that he will not give up, not directly to the fish but more so to himself, reassuring that he will not give up. Both Santiago and the fish are determined to win their great battle but only one of them can be the

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Old Man And The Great Gatsby

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    The quote, “Nothing happened. The fish just moved away slowly and the old man could not raise him an inch. His line was strong and made for heavy fish and he held it against his back until it was so taut that beads of water were jumping from it. Then it began to make a slow hissing sound in the water and he still held it, bracing himself against the thwart and leaning back against the pull. The boat began to move slowly off toward the north-west.”(44) creates in depth meaning into how the old man is strong because the fish possesses a determination equal in magnitude to Santiago’s. Santiago has a large amount of endurance, and is using it in the midst of following the fish. Another example of Santiago’s endurance throughout the novel is his strength with the physical pain he feels. For example, the old man has a lot of back pain while following the fish, and catching it, especially. “...”( ).........The old man also experiences physical pain when his hand is cramping and when it gets cut. The author states, “The old man would have liked to keep his hand in the salt water longer but he was afraid of another sudden lurch by the fish and he stood up and braced himself and

    Read More

  • Ernest Hemingway's Old Man And The Sea

    368 Words  | 1 Pages

    Santiago’s psychological processes in Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea are exceptionally eloquent and cultivated and reach deep levels of pride and self respect that he refuses to abandon. For example, the old man advocates not catching the fish by claiming that the fish has not been in the correct position to be caught. Santiago is overwhelmingly prideful which can ultimately affect his means of survival. The old man’s sense of deep self preservation just about crosses the line between having too much pride and coming off to others as arrogance. The old man refuses to accept help from anyone but the boy that he had taught how to fish years before, which even then he is hesitant to accept help. The million dollar question to ask is why

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Santiago And The Marlin

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    To begin with, the old man is determined just as the fish is. When Santiago first hooks the fish, he states, “‘Fish,’ he said softly, aloud, ‘I’ll stay with you until I am dead’” (Hemingway 52). This shows how he will risk his life to prove that he can catch this marlin. Santiago was fixed on catching this fish and ending his bad luck streak. And, as the marlin doesn’t have much of a choice, he will fight until he dies as well. They are both very

    Read More

  • Santiago Marlin Quotes

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the novel, Santiago’s sentiments toward the marlin go through several considerable changes. At first, the marlin is the catch Santiago has been waiting for. However, as the story progresses Santiago appears to become endeared toward the fish, even going as far as calling him his “brother” (Hemingway 59). Later, once Santiago has killed the great marlin, he even seems remorseful.

    Read More

  • Themes in The Old Man and the Sea

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the story, Santiago’s bravery is unsurpassed, but it is not until he hooks the “great fish” that we truly see his valor and perseverance. Through Santiago’s actions, Hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity. He demonstrates that even when all is lost and seems hopeless, a willful heart and faith will overcome anything. Santiago had lost his “luckiness” and therefore the respect of his village. Through the description of his cabin, we also suspect that Santiago is a widower.

    Read More

  • The Old Man And The Sea: Man Defeated

    2041 Words  | 5 Pages

    Some argued that the novel’s theme was Santiago’s struggle, the friendship with the fish and other characters; Santiago’s perseverance and that he really ended up as a triumphant man. But to argue that those were also the main themes of the book is also a difficult thing to do. Even though Santiago fought and kept on with his struggle to catch the fish, he was defeated because he lost it at the end. Defeat, according to the Larousse Chambers English Dictionary, is when you are overthrown in a battle, you lose a game and therefore you don’t win: you don’t gain or reach your goal. As we can see Santiago, in spite of the fact that he persevered and struggled, starving, for three days lost the battle.

    Read More

  • The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

    1637 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Old Man and the Sea is novella written by Ernest Hemingway in 1952. It tells the epic journey and struggles of the old fisherman, Santiago, and his younger fishing partner, Manolin. The story goes into detail the day to day life struggles that a fisherman off the coast of Africa endures. The majority of the story focuses on one particular trip out sea. In life, one will go through a number of stages in life. Infancy, Youth , Adulthood, and Old Age are all key stages. As one grows, they mature through these various stages. When one reaches old age, there is often a lot of doubt surrounding their lives. Serenity, and independence are often the two most questioned. These are some questions that Santiago has to ask himself as well.

    Read More

  • The Old Man And The Sea and Moby Dick

    1367 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, pits his strength against forces he cannot control.  We learn from Santiago's struggles how to face insurmountable odds with bravery and courage.  Though we find an indifferent and hostile universe as Santiago's stage, his unwillingness to give in to these forces demonstrate a reverence for life's struggles.  Santiago's struggle is for dignity and meaning in the face of insurmountable odds.  His warrior-like spirit fights off the sharks full-well knowing the fate of his marlin.  Santiago loses his marlin in the end, but his struggle to keep it represent a victory because of the dignity and heroism with which he carries out his mission.  However, as Santiago acknowledges, he is almost sorry he caught the marlin because he knows the animal and he have a great deal in common as fellow beings in nature.  However, he only caught the marlin "through trickery" (Hemingway  99).  Santi...

    Read More

  • Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea"

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    His persistence and confidence was clearly demonstrated at the beginning of the novella. At the beginning of the novella, Santiago seems to run out of luck: he has been unable to catch a fish for eighty four days. As a professional fisherman, eight four days without catching a single fish would be shameful, especially for an old man. However, he never once ga...

    Read More

  • The Character Santiago in Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hemingway has a way of making his readers believe that the feats and strengths that his characters obtain in his novels are actually possible. Although this statement may be too critical, and maybe there is a man out there, somewhere on the coast of Cuba who at this very moment is setting out to the open sea to catch a marlin of his own. The struggle many readers have is believing the story of Santiago’s physical powers and his strength against temptation bring forward the question of whether or not The Old Man and the Sea is worthy to be called a classic. Hemingway’s Santiago brought Faulkner and millions of other readers on their knees, while to some, believed Hemingway had swung his third strike. As we look further into Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, we can analyze the criticism and complications of the character Santiago. He is portrayed as a faulty Jesus, an unrealistic and inhuman man, and again still a hero to those who cannot find happiness in their life.

    Read More

  • Old Man and the Sea

    1229 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the end Santiago succeeds and is no longer unsuccessful because of his determination to give up his life for the marlin. Even though he is only left with the skeleton of the marlin all the fishermen are still impressed. The fishermen measure the carcass and is found to be eighteen feet long. Santiago rode to shore on his boat feeling happy and accomplished. Even though our battles are not with marlins or sharks we all have obstacles standing the the way of our goals at some time in our lives.

    Read More

  • Father Son Relationship In The Old Man And The Sea

    1205 Words  | 3 Pages

    For three long days, the boat is alternating pushes and towed by the huge fish in an almost dream-like state. Only the killing os the fish and the attacking of the sharks interrupt the monotony. The monotony becomes one of the pressures that the old man must endure in order to maintain his grace. However, because Santiago never gives in to the monotony or the depression, he becomes the hero in the story against innumerable odds. His tenacious determination leads him to a sense of hope amongst the monotony and depression.

    Read More

  • The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway

    795 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Old Man and the Sea focuses its plot mainly on Santiago’s struggle against the marlin. Existentialism makes its appearance when Santiago chooses to pursue the marlin, stay with it the entire way, and fight tooth and nail at the end. “My choice was to go there to find him beyond all people,” is how Santiago explains his actions to challenge the fish (Hemingway 50). He mentions how he was born to be a fisherman, and by chasing the marlin, he will give his life the meaning for existence. Santiago also insists on staying with the fish until one of them is dead, which exemplifies his will to fulfill his goals in life. He endures obstacles such as nausea, cramps, and sleep deprivation because he does not want to give up and surrender his fate. When it comes down to the final struggle, Santiago pits all of the pain, strength, and pride he has left against the fish in order to bring it down. Despair begins to creep in when Santiago finds it hard to pull in the marlin, but he overcomes it with every ounce of will he has. He knows that it is up to him to create this important moment in his li...

    Read More

  • Old Man and the Sea and Our Relationship with the Sea

    1477 Words  | 3 Pages

    The painting, Watson and the Shark and the novel, The Old Man and the Sea, are two examples of how human interaction is depicted with the sea. These two works have a similar theme and setting. They both describe life at sea off the coast of Havana, Cuba. They both portray relationships between humans and animals. The natural world portrayed in Watson and the Shark is a far better prediction of how humans view the world today than the novel, The Old Man and the Sea.

    Read More

More about Analysis Old Man And The Sea

Open Document