Biblical Influence and Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea
analytical Essay
653 words
Biblical Influence and Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea
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 characters in The Old Man and the Sea are in actuality, major figures in the New Testament. Santiago is an old man, yet he had young eyes. No matter how defeated he was, he would never show it and he would look on the brighter side of things. In my mind, these traits make Santiago a god-like figure. Manolin, which translates into Messiah, is Jesus (Stoltzfus qtd in CLC 13:280). Santiago is the "father" who teaches his symbolic son and disciple, Manolin. After catching the largest marlin, Manolin will leave his parents in order to follow the teachings of Santiago, his master, just as Jesus did (Stoltzfus qtd in CLC 13:280). Pedrico is actually Saint Peter, Jesus' closest apostle and a great fisherman (Wilson 50). Peter helped Jesus fish for souls as Pedrico helped Manolin fish for food. Santiago gives Pedrico the head of the mutilated marlin which symbolizes Saint Peter as head of the Christian church and the first Pope (Stoltzfus CLC 280).
In the story, there are many references to the crucifixion of Jesus. Santiago's badly injured hands evoke the hands of the crucified Jesus and three other situations reinforce this theory (Brenner, The Old Man and the Sea, Story of a Common Man 37). First, Santiago's marlin is approached by a pair of shovel nosed sharks. "Ay', he said out loud." (Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea 107) There is no meaning of "Ay", but perhaps it is the sound a man makes as his hands are nailed to wood (Brenner, The Old Man and the Sea, Story of a Common Man 38).
Next, once back on shore, Santiago climbs the hill to his shack, with the mast on his shoulder, falling several times (Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea 121). This is an obvious reference to Christ's struggle to carry the cross up the hill Cavalry (Crossan, The Historical Jesus 163).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how santiago's badly injured hands evoke the hands of the crucified jesus, and three other situations reinforce this theory.
- Analyzes how ernest hemingway decided to construct his story to reflect upon the life of jesus but did not make this too obvious to the reader.
- Analyzes how ernest hemingway's stories have religious influence and symbolism. the names of the characters translated from spanish to english are just one of those similarities.
- Analyzes how santiago climbs the hill to his shack, with the mast on his shoulder, falling several times. the hook went into and through the mouth of the fish, just as the nail went through jesus' hand.
Related
- analytical
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is a story of the relationship between an old fisherman named Santiago and nature. For eighty-four days Santiago has set out to sea and returned empty-handed. On the eighty-fifth day, he set out determined to catch a fish. Santiago catches a marlin, but sharks attacked the fish leaving only scraps and bones. Santiago views the sea as the source of life and meaning. The old man has an unique relationship to and understanding of the natural world. He talks about the sea as though it is a woman and he dreams of lions. He views the birds and fish as his friends. The creatures and the natural world become lens to understand his character.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the relationship between an old fisherman named santiago and nature in ernest hemingway's the old man and the sea.
- Analyzes how santiago sees the sea as his life and meaning to live. he depends on it for survival, it provides him with food, and it can give him happiness and sorrow.
- Analyzes how santiago views all animals on the same level as himself and gives the reader a sense of brotherhood.
- Analyzes how hemingway uses the lions to tell the reader that santiago has not given up.
- Analyzes how hemingway challenges readers to take risks and dare them to go out to sea to catch their own marlin like santiago.
808 wordsRead More - Themes in The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essayThemes in The Old Man and the Sea The Old Man and the Sea is a heroic tale of man’s strength pitted against forces he cannot control. It is a tale about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of three prominent themes; friendship, bravery, and Christianity; the “Old Man and the Sea” strives to teach important life lessons to the reader. The relationship between the old man and the boy is introduced early in the story.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the old man and the sea is a heroic tale of man's strength pitted against forces he cannot control. through friendship, bravery, and christianity, it strives to teach important life lessons to the reader.
- Analyzes how santiago teaches manolin about fishing, baseball, and faith, even when joe dimaggio is injured.
- Analyzes how hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity.
- Analyzes how santiago's perseverance and bravery are further illustrated when he tries to fight off the sharks.
- Analyzes how santiago and manolin's relationship parallels that of christ and his disciples. santiago gives a simple faith that reflects the basic principles of christianity.
- Analyzes how hemingway's description of santiago illustrates christian symbolism. he does not smother the relationship between the old man and the young boy by highlighting his weaknesses.
948 wordsRead More - Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essayOne could speculate that Hemingway alluded to the Bible in The Old Man and the Sea by design, possibly to show that the same virtues exemplified by Christ can be applied by anyone to help guide themselves through a dire situation. In any case, The Old Man and the Sea is filled with Christian symbolism from Santiago’s character, suffering, and the elements of nature that he battles during the ultimate adventure.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how seven represents perfection in the bible. noah was told to seven pairs of animals from each species. santiago kills seven great fish while out at sea, including the marlin, the dolphin, and the five sharks.
- Analyzes how hemingway describes the old man carrying his mast across his shoulders when he finally makes it back to shore. the visual of santiago outstretched in a cross-like position shows his exhaustion and near-death experience.
- Speculates that hemingway alluded to the bible in the old man and the sea by design, possibly to show that the same virtues exemplified by christ can be applied by anyone to help guide themselves through a dire situation.
- Analyzes ernest hemingway's the old man and the sea as a riveting tale of man versus nature under the most dire of circumstances.
- Analyzes how santiago understands his place within nature after the seven slayings. he is a christ-like character throughout the novella, as he demonstrates virtues of humility, patience, faith, and resilience.
1221 wordsRead More - Symbolism In Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man And The Seaanalytical essayThe Old Man and the Sea has been a time old classic by a both beloved and occasionally despised author Mr. Ernest Hemingway. In the Old Man and the Sea Symbolism and references that reflect Hemingway’s own life can be seen in many different lights, he had many ups and downs similar as Santiago’s struggles and as I have chosen to explore the suffering that can be seen in Santiago and in relation to Hemingway’s own life.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that ernest hemingway's the old man and the sea is a time-old classic by the beloved and occasionally despised author.
- Analyzes how hemingway's the old man and the sea is an allegory referring to his struggles to preserve his writing in the face of fame and attention.
- Explains that hemingway and his wife martha bought a new home just outside of havana where he spent much time fishing and entertaining even after many other americans left back to the states when castro came into power.
- Opines that the significance of the setting in the story is greatly underestimated at times and may never be fully explored.
- Analyzes how santiago and manolin's relationship goes beyond friendship; they have a soul bond.
571 wordsRead More - Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essayThe Old Man and the Sea was written by Ernest Hemingway and published in 1952. This is a captivating fiction story about a man named Santiago and his adventure when one day, he goes on a fishing journey to catch the big one. However, this adventure quickly becomes one of pain and suffering when things take a turn for the worse.
In this essay, the author
- Describes santiago as an old fisherman who hasn't caught a fish in eighty-four days. he tries to harpoon the fish, but the mako shark attacks and kills it.
- Opines that hemmingway's novel is telling its readers to look at the positive aspects of things, even if at first it seems like tragedy.
- Analyzes how the old man and the sea expresses humility. santiago is a fairly poor man and often goes hungry, yet he never complains or protests.
- Narrates the story of santiago, a man who goes fishing to catch the big marlin in havana, cuba, and is regarded as bad luck by others.
- Analyzes how hemingway wrote the novel in the third person. he used well thought out, precise words to convey detail without writing a substantial amount about it.
1384 wordsRead More - The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essay“Thank you. You make me happy. I hope no fish will come along so great that he will prove us wrong (Hemingway 23),” slurred Santiago as he exchanged words with his trusty companion Manolin in the beginning of Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea. As these words left his mouth, Santiago did not realize the treacherous road on which he was about to stumble upon. However, as Santiago was totted away from his homeland by a hefty marlin, he was able to adapt to the changes that the voyage threw at him. Dehydration, burn wounds, and fatigue accompanied Santiago and took a toll on the old man’s aging body. As his skiff proceeded to carve through the white ocean foam for two days, the marlin finally emerged in a cluster of circles. Once the marlin floated close enough to the skiff, Santiago raised his stealthy harpoon and drove it through the scaly skin of the marlin with great force. He repeatedly drove the sharp object into his trophy. The reward may have been collected, but the worst was still yet to come. As the marlin was drug by the skiff, a trail of blood was left behind the small wooden boat. The bloody water attracted sharks the slowly devoured the eighteen foot marlin over a small time, but where fended of by the blades of wrath delivered by Santiago. All of these events that took place on Santiago’s sea voyage, revealed the true characteristics belonging to Santiago. Throughout Ernest Hemmingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea, the main character reveals his honor, courage, and endurance, and faith.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how santiago was able to adapt to the changes that the voyage threw at him. he was totted away from his homeland by a hefty marlin.
- Analyzes the relationship between santiago and the marlin in the novel.
- Compares santiago's courage with that of an old fisherman. santiago killed three sharks and wounded four, but defeated them with his valiant courage.
- Explains that endurance is key to survival when it comes to life threatening dangers. the thin fishing line that linked the marlin to santiago tested his endurance.
- Analyzes how malonin plays a major role in santiago's life, as he has faith in the young lad.
- Analyzes ernest hemmingway's novel, the old man and the sea, where santiago reveals his honor, courage, endurance, and faith. he makes the reader realize that quitting is not an option no matter how great the pain, fatigue, or hunger.
1743 wordsRead More - The Character Santiago in Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essayHemingway 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.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hemingway makes readers believe that the feats and strengths that his characters obtain in his novels are actually possible. 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.
- Analyzes how hemingway conjured up the character santiago from a 92 year old man who crossed to florida with other cuban refugees.
- Analyzes how santiago's lack of creativity to harpoon the marlin proved that he had a distinct motive for killing the fish.
- Analyzes the supernatural, yet not perfect, powers that the aged fisherman santiago shines with in hemingway's novel.
- Analyzes how jackson j. benson summed up his response to the old man and the sea: "the story does not use ritual; it is ritual - almost text for worship."
- Analyzes how the critics of the old man and the sea were moved by santiago's heroism, hope, and ability to keep going.
- Analyzes how santiago's tolerance for pain and anguish was the single greatest moment in a hemingway novel. his simplistic way of bringing together so many images and thoughts is remarkable.
- Explains brenner, gery, the old man and the sea- the story of a common man, new york: twayne publishers, 1991.
- Describes waggoner's taoist reading of the old man and the sea.
- Analyzes eddins, dwight, and hemingway's the old man and the sea.
1899 wordsRead More - Book Review Of The Old Man And The Seaanalytical essayThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway was written as Hemingway 's comeback book. Hemingway was a great writer, according to “11 Facts About Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea”, written by the website mental floss, before The Old Man and the Sea his last best book was For Whom the Bell Tolls which was written in 1940. Hemingway went a decade before he wrote and had another book published. In 1950 Hemingway published Across the River and Into The Trees, but it was not very good so people said that Hemingway was done with his years of good writing. In 1952 Hemingway published The Old Man and the Sea and it was his comeback book. Throughout the book, Hemingway uses Santiago and his long time out in the sea to show that it is
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ernest hemingway's the old man and the sea was his comeback book, and he used santiago and his long time in the sea to show that it is important to never give up.
- Analyzes how santiago's friend manolin helps him get everything ready for his big trip out into the sea. he spots a big strong marlin that he is eager to catch.
- Analyzes how the boy, manolin, and the old man, santiago, go out fishing every day and they can't seem to catch a fish.
- Analyzes how santiago decides he is going to go as far out in the sea as it takes to catch the biggest fish. he wakes manolin up to have him help get the boat ready.
- Analyzes how santiago is determined to catch the marlin, which is a large, strong fish in the novel.
- Analyzes how santiago starts to respect the marlin and considers him a friend. he is still not going to give up on his hope of catching the fish.
- Analyzes how santiago is fighting so hard to catch the marlin. he is losing strength, in pain from cutting his hand, and he is tired but that has not stopped him from fighting.
- Analyzes how santiago felt sorry for the marlin, and his determination to kill him never relaxed in his sorrow for him.
- Analyzes how santiago shoves the harpoon through the shoulder and heart of the marlin. he is surprised at how big and beautiful the fish actually is.
- Narrates how santiago is finally able to go back home after catching the marlin.
- Analyzes how "out to far" by gregory stephens and janice cools talks about how men feel defeated when they reach old age. the main arguments in this source are the old man's dependents on the boy, feminizing the sea and the respectful engagement of its feminine presents.
- Narrates how santiago never gave up after eighty-four days of not catching anything. he went out way into the sea and still wouldn't stop till he got that fish.
1312 wordsRead More - Summary Of The Old Man And The Sea By Ernest Hemingwayanalytical essayThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway was written as Hemingway 's comeback book. Hemingway was a great writer, according to “11 Facts About Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea”, written by the website mental floss, before The Old Man and the Sea his last best book was For Whom the Bell Tolls which was written in 1940. Hemingway went a decade before he wrote and had another book published. In 1950 Hemingway published Across the River and Into The Trees, but it was not very good so people said that Hemingway was done with his years of good writing. In 1952 Hemingway published The Old Man and the Sea and it was his comeback book. Throughout the book, Hemingway uses Santiago and his long time out in the sea to show that it is important to never give up.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ernest hemingway's the old man and the sea was his comeback book, and he used santiago and his long time in the sea to show that it is important to never give up.
- Analyzes how santiago's friend manolin helps him get everything ready for his big trip out into the sea. he spots a big strong marlin that he is eager to catch.
- Analyzes how the boy, manolin, and the old man, santiago, go out fishing every day and they can't seem to catch a fish.
- Analyzes how santiago decides he is going to go as far out in the sea as it takes to catch the biggest fish. he wakes manolin up to have him help get the boat ready.
- Analyzes how santiago is determined to catch the marlin, which is a large, strong fish in the novel.
- Analyzes how santiago starts to respect the marlin and considers him a friend. he is still not going to give up on his hope of catching the fish.
- Analyzes how santiago is fighting so hard to catch the marlin. he is losing strength, in pain from cutting his hand, and he is tired but that has not stopped him from fighting.
- Analyzes how santiago felt sorry for the marlin, and his determination to kill him never relaxed in his sorrow for him.
- Analyzes how santiago shoves the harpoon through the shoulder and heart of the marlin. he is surprised at how big and beautiful the fish actually is.
- Narrates how santiago is finally able to go back home after having caught the marlin, there were many sharks he had to fight.
- Analyzes how infohio's "out to far" is a source that talks about how men feel defeated when they reach old age.
- Narrates how santiago never gave up after eighty-four days of not catching anything. he went out way into the sea and still wouldn't stop till he got that fish.
1303 wordsRead More - Inner Happiness in Hemingway's The Old Man and the Seaanalytical essayPoignant circumstances surrounded the composition of this novel, which bring out many of the above points. It is widely recognized that Hemingway was possessed of a turbulent personality and suffered from emotional depression. This was despite the fact that he enjoyed much critical acclaim. The Old Man and the Sea was written after a ten-year hiatus of public and critical approval. This period saw much of his work receive negative criticism in literary and journalistic circles. This affected Hemingway adversely and very deeply (Carey 9). Therefore, Hemingway's personal battle with seeming failure in his life's work and society's attendant criticism parallel Santiago's stoic resolve in the face of his neighbors' disdain. The author's struggles symbolically match those of Santiago and set the stage for the writing of this novel.
In this essay, the author
- Agrees with schopenhauer that happiness is an inexhaustible process and repeats ad nauseum the words of past centuries. they disagree with st. augustine's view of happiness.
- Analyzes how santiago has a profoundly meaningful relationship with manolin, who taught him how to fish. they love and respect each other deeply in tender, matter-of-fact conversations.
- Analyzes how santiago is a fisherman in the purest sense. he is acutely aware of everything in his environment, the weather, his body, and his boat.
- Analyzes how santiago exhibits acute awareness of his physical, mental, and environmental handicaps, but does so in a purely compassionate and objective way.
- Analyzes santiago's nobility, possession of bright spirits, freedom, serenity, steadfastness, virtue, humility, pride, ability for harmony and compassion.
- Analyzes how santiago is the embodiment of all of these qualities, which describe the nature of his character and not his possessions. these inner qualities affect his relationship to the outside world positively.
- Explains epictetus' the discourses as reported by arrian, the manual, and fragments.
- Analyzes how hemingway's view of human nature was that happiness was rare and was found within a man and not in his surroundings.
- Analyzes how santiago's happiness can be summed up by santayana, who said that man can achieve lasting happiness by developing and maintaining between himself and his environment.
- Analyzes how the people of santiago's village view him as an object of either pity or disdain. they see him almost as a commodity in their evaluation.
- Explains that hutchins, robert maynard, ed. great books of the western world. 54 vols. chicago: encyclopaedia britannica, 1952.
- Describes waggonner's taoist reading of the old man and the sea.
2777 wordsRead More