The incorporation of religion into literature is a common technique that adds significance to the overall meaning of any type of work. Ernest Hemingway, a passionate fisherman, successfully utilizes this technique in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novella, The Old Man and the Sea (Kinzer n. pag.). Considered one of his most famous and meaningful works, Hemingway’s novella details the journey of a poor but noble fisherman, Santiago, as he faces one of the greatest and most difficult struggles of his life. Throughout his telling of Santiago’s journey, Hemingway integrates a large amount of Christ symbolism that effectively portrays Santiago as Christ. Before his journey, Santiago’s master-disciple relationship with Manolin, his prior apprentice who has a strong faith in Santiago and his moral, and his past fishing experiences are introduced. During his voyage, Santiago spends three grueling days fighting to outsmart, dominate, and catch a giant marlin that he hooks. While on the sea and far away from home, Santiago’s physical and mental endurance are tested against the incredible strength of the marlin, but his determination ultimately helps him to catch the marlin and achieve a miraculous victory. Although several sharks ultimately eat the marlin, Santiago returns home a hero, and Manolin and his friend Pedrico vow to preach of Santiago’s values and his moral, mental, and physical greatness. Based on these events, Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea is an allegorical novel that depicts Santiago as a Christ figure before, during, and after his pursuit of the great marlin.
From the very beginning of the novella, Santiago is likened to Christ through his characteristics, experiences, and even his name, which is Spanish for ...
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Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1952. Print.
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The author shows the reader the sea just as the sailor does as death, but more than death
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Many times, stories by Ernest Hemingway have much religious influence and symbolism. In The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, numerous occurrences in the life of Santiago the fisherman are similar to the incidents recorded in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The names of the characters translated from Spanish to English are just one of those many similarities.
" The Hemingway Review. 15.1 (Fall 1995): p. 27. Literature Resource Center -.
... Bender, David. A. Readings by Ernest Hemingway. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Bloom, Harold, ed., pp.
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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.
There is never a simple key to any writer worth much attention, but in the case of Hemingway there is something that looks so like a key… that it cannot escape any informed and thoughtful reader’s notice" (O’Conner 153). Ernest Hemingway was one such author. Very rarely did he summarize statements, therefore the only way to solve his puzzle was to take it apart and examine each components. One of the hidden elements that the reader must analyzie closely is the parallel between Santiago and Jesus Christ. In the novel, The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway creates connections between Santiago and Jesus Christ that adds religious coloration to the story.
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.
Ernest Hemingway in His Time. July, 1999. Universtiy of Delaware Library, Special Collections Department. 29 Dec. 2000