The Sea Battle Of Life

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Marlins and the sea are usually never associated with lions. They are, however, in The Old Man and the Sea written by Ernest Hemingway. Together they are extremely symbolic in the novella. Lions are often the subject of Santiago’s dreams and they represent youth and nature. The old man hooks a marlin and fights the fish which represents a beautiful challenge. Santiago’s universe is the sea and it stands for a way of life. Manhood has also been a connector for the three aspects and is intertwined with them all. The sea, marlin and the lions all symbolic attributes of youth, challenges, life and are all attached to an idea of manhood. Manolin is one of the main characters in the novella and he represents faith, love and loyalty. The old man is in constant need of help and Manolin is always there for him no matter what the circumstance. The narrator explains, “the boy’s parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky” (Hemingway 9). The passage implies that Manolin’s parents did not want him to be hanging around the old man but despite their wishes he helps the old man from day to day. He shows great loyalty to the old man and does not care what the other people think of him because he knows he is helping a friend in need. Manolin is one of the only reasons the old man stays alive because he gives much needed moral support and buys Santiago essential living items. Everything that he does to care for the old man is thoughtful and Manolin does it carefully and lovingly. He is an incredible, mature boy to do all his work at such a young age and he has experienced things that normal boys would not have at that age. The old man retells the story to Manolin, ... ... middle of paper ... ...ail. In both the sea and in life, there are a number of possibilities that lie hidden from the common eye; some are gifts to be treasured and some are problems to be defeated. Neither will be found unless man embarks upon the journey. If man is lucky enough to discover a treasure, he must fight until death to retain it; if man is unlucky enough to discover an evil lurking underneath the surface of the sea, he must fight it bravely and nobly until the end. In either case, it is the struggle that is all- important, and a man obtains the status of hero if he battles the sea with grace under pressure. In the novel, Santiago embarks on a sea journey and encounters a giant marlin. He battles nobly to earn the treasure and then fights the sharks to save it. The struggle defines him as a hero. Even though he loses the marlin to the sharks, he has won the sea battle of life.

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