“Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated” (Hemingway, 78). There is much support for this encouraging quote by Santiago, the main character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Former President Richard Nixon said “defeat doesn’t finish a man, quit does” (Biography.com Editors), affirming that man cannot be defeated unless he allows it. But although the old fisherman resolutely encourages himself with this statement, he confesses later to his apprentice, “ ‘They beat me, Manolin…They truly beat me’ ” (Hemingway, 92). And according to Merriam-Webster, “beat” is a synonym for “defeat” (“Defeat”, Merriam-Webster.com). So man actually can be defeated—and Santiago both demonstrated and testified to this truth. …show more content…
Obviously, this does not define Santiago’s end state. His structure, organic existence, and condition are not ruined and he is not out of existence. Meanwhile, Merriam-Webster defines “defeat” as “destroy; nullify, frustrate; to win victory over, beat” (“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com). This fits Santiago much better—especially as he himself announces “ ‘They beat me…They truly beat me’ ” (Hemingway, 92). With that direct correlation, there’s no doubt that Santiago annuls his own statement—man certainly can be …show more content…
Here, Hemingway foreshadows Santiago’s defeat. This counters Santiago’s statement that he cannot be defeated, for Hemingway maintains he certainly can be defeated and in fact has been for quite some time. The foreshadowed defeat manifests itself after Santiago catches the marlin. As he drags the sea beast’s carcass across the ocean, sharks catch the scent, and soon begin their diligent pursuit. Santiago notices this and reacts: “It was too good to last, he thought…But there was nothing to be done now” (Hemingway, 78-79). From this tone, it is obvious that Santiago’s defeat is inevitable. Hemingway continues the hopeless narration: “He knew the fight was useless…He knew he was beaten now finally and without remedy” (Hemingway, 87-88). Santiago knew he was beaten—which, coincidentally, is a synonym of defeated. Overall, yes, Santiago has been defeated. But only in relation to his pursuit of the marlin. The marlin is completely gone; he has wasted time, energy, and blood for nothing. And yet he is still a fisherman. He makes plans with Manolin to return to the sea. So though his pursuit of the marlin has been defeated, his station as a lowly fisherman has not. And maybe that’s what’s really
...that the old man survived those long days at sea, and even caught the marlin successfully. Santiago’s credibility as a fisherman and survivor are restored. In this way, he is resurrected as a new, respectable man.
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
In conclusion, Santiago’s journey had different stages that got him closer to achieving his personal legend. Overall the Hero’s Journey of santiago was about him going through challenges and for him to trust in his heart. This can also be compared someone when wanting to accomplish something but then you would think you won’t be able to accomplish it. Clearly, he has been able to complete his journey through stages which had also got him closer to the end every time he has accomplished one of the stages, so the stages are also there so when passing a stage you will be able to keep going without any
The king gives Santiago the final push by explaining to him all about personal legends. The king gives him a sense of reassurance by telling him that, “in order to find the treasure, [Santiago] will have to follow the omens”(29). All of these examples tie in with Santiago beginning his hero journey. With all of these callings, one would expect Santiago to be up for his journey during the rest of the book, but alas that is not the case.... ... middle of paper ...
First, the old man receives outer success by earning the respect and appreciation of the boy and the other fishermen. The boy is speaking to the old man in his shack after the old man’s long journey, “You must get well fast for there is much that I can learn and you can teach me everything” (Hemmingway 126). The boy appreciates the fact that the old man spends time to teach him about fishing. He respects him a great deal for he knows that the old man is very wise and is a magnificent fisherman. The fellow fishermen also show respect towards the old man as they note the size of the fish after the old man returns home, “What a fish it was, there has never been such a fish” (123). The men admire the fact that the old man has caught the biggest fish that they have seen. Many fishermen resented Santiago at first, however their opinion changed once they realized what the old man has gone through. Being admired by others plays a major role in improving one’s morale.
At the end of the novel, after the marlin has been destroyed by numerous sharks, the old man views the marlin as a beautiful creature he brought ruin to by going “too far” (Hemingway 115). Santiago goes on to say that he loved the marlin “when he was alive” and he loved him “after” (Hemingway 105). He question whether it was a “sin to kill the fish” (Hemingway 105) and apologizes for hooking the marlin in the first place, saying that doing so “made everything wrong” (Hemingway
2. Santiago mentally conforms to enduring the loss of the big marlin when the sharks begin to attack. Santiago is able to fight off the first few sharks but the blood , Santiago knows, will attract more sharks and soon there would be nothing left of the marlin. Santiago accepts this loss, because it cannot be avoided, yet he still holds on to the skeleton of the fish because of his courage and values.
He experienced destruction for 84 days of not catching any fish and he was being crushed and destroyed physically, nevertheless, his spirit and self-determination has accomplished him a victory with pride. Finally, he proved that man can be never
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. Although Santiago has had many troubles he perseveres. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself.
”(page 111). Santiago had plans for him already but failed to accomplish them. Some will argue that he won because he gained spiritual victory. This , in a way, is true; but fishing is his job and only way of living. If the case had been different and Santiago was only fishing for his personal entertainment, which wasn’t, it could be seen as a new experience or story to tell.
The constant struggle makes Santiago realize that he is no longer as young as he thinks he is and
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...
The old man and the sea is a novella about an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago, and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin fish. Throughout the novella, Santiago is portrayed in different perspectives. He is tough and refuses to give up at any time. He withholds the will to continue and the courage to overcome what is believed to be the impossible. His persistence and confidence, his absolute determination and his unique way of accepting the reality makes him a noble hero.
In a flashback Santiago describes a battle between himself and the great negro from Cienfuegos. The negro was known as the strongest man on the docks, but that did not scare Santiago off from challenging him to the hand game. After a rough two day battle Santiago defeated him and was given the title Santiago El Campeon. Later that spring there was a return match, "After he had a few matches and then no more. Santiago decided that he could beat anyone if he wanted to badly enough" (Hemingway 70). This shows that Santiago has great strength and he knows that, but he does not feel the need to prove his strength repeatedly to the rest of the people on the docks.
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 life, filled with passion and purpose .... ... middle of paper ...