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Use of symbolism in the old man and the sea
Significance of symbolism in Hemingway, the old man and the sea
Symbolism in old man and the sea
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The Old Man and the Sea is a classic novel detailing the life of a Cuban fisherman and his struggle with a massive marlin. All throughout, symbolism serves a key role in shifting the focus from a dry novel to a deep tale with a lasting impression. Religious references are also a significant component, adding a unique point of view readers rarely experience in an ordinary novel. Hemmingway knew, uniting the two would prove the perfect combination. An in depth read will reveal numerous key elements, magnifying The Old Man and the Sea into a classic sustaining tale. Among all the literary elements used in works of literature, symbolism is one of the most important. Attentive readers will find themselves baffled if they miss the symbolism and its vital significance throughout The Old Man and the Sea. “In Ernest Hemingway’s masterpiece, The Old Man and the Sea, he uses much symbolism to assist the readers understanding of the message he is trying to portray” (Symbolism). Those who have read Hemingway’s novel will notice the symbolism revealed all throughout and its key message, beginning with simple ordinary symbolism and expanding to vast examples of symbolic details. Hemingway captivated his readers using simple symbolism like the sharks to complex ideas like the sea representing God, both methods easily proving to be a key element, making the novel an instant success. The symbolism implemented by Hemingway, regardless of how minute does well to serve its purpose; adding an important lieracy device. The first time symbolism occurs in the Old man and the Sea emerges at the beginning of the novel between Santiago and Manolin. The relationship between the main character Santiago and his protégée Manolin, parallel to that of a... ... middle of paper ... ...Man and the Sea: Hemingway's Dialectic of Imagery." elcamino. 2002. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . Hemingway, Ernest . The Old Man and the Sea. New York, NY: SCRIBNER, 2003. Print. Lorcher, Trent. "Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea." Bright Hub. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . "The Old Man and the Sea: Symbols." LITCHARTS. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . "The Symbolism of The Old Man and the Sea." 123helpme!. 2000-2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. . "The Old Man and the Sea." SparkNotes. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . teen study BIBLE. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Grand Rapids, MI: ZONDERVAn, 1998. Print.
Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea was published in 1952, the last of his fiction stories to be published before his death in 1961 (Lombardi). The novella is still celebrated to this day as a riveting tale of man versus nature under the most dire of circumstances. The story’s protagonist, Santiago, is a man with supreme determination and hope. His battle with the great marlin is an illustration of human strength, physically and mentally, at its finest. These qualities about him, along with the decisions he makes throughout the novel, give him similarities to Christ, while other elements of Hemingway’s prose can arguably serve as Christian symbolism as well.
‘The Sea’ followed a different people and it also gave the reader some back story on things and people that were brought up through the book.
In The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Volume II. Edited by Paul Lauter et al. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Company, 1991: 1208-1209. Hemingway, Ernest. A.
Ernest Hemingway is a world renown author who has won many prestigious awards for his simple, yet complex writing style. One of his various novels is The Old Man and The Sea, an age old classic that captures the audience’s attention with its thought provoking imagery and bold themes. This novella is about an elderly fisherman, Santiago, and his excruciating three-day battle with an enormous marlin. In many literary circles, there is a frequent debate on if Santiago is portrayed to be a static or dynamic character. Hemingway writes Santiago as a static character because he has not changed during his various hardships.
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).
The Cambridge Companion to Ernest Hemingway; edited by Scott Donaldson; Cambridge U. P.; New York, NY; 1996
Relationship, External nature and Dignity are the major themes in The Old Man and the SeaA very important relationship in the novella The Old Man and the Sea is that between Manolin and Santiago. Manolin supports Santiago and helped him to confront his greatest challenge. Manolin proves this when he says, "I would like go fishing with you. I would like to serve you in some way" (p. 15).
Hemingway’s use of symbols and the metaphors beyond the symbols is phenomenal. Metaphors are an implied analogy that has an ideal that is being expressed and it also has an image by which that idea is conveyed. Establishing the similarities between the following dissimilarities is what helps to identify the metaphors behind the symbols in Hemingway’s writings. He uses things as symbols to help express the old man’s deep feelings in his journey through life.
Waldhorn, Arthur. Ernest Hemingway: A Collection of Criticism (Contemporary Studies in Literature). Chicago: Syracuse University Press, 1978.
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.
Reading through the novel The Old Man and the Sea one, as a reader, can perceive several themes in the book. Hemingway suggests certain subjects for discussion which built up the whole plot, therefore giving us options to choose the one we believe is the main one. In the past weeks we have been discussing, in a debate, which is that main theme. My group’s theme was “Man Defeated” and although it is hard to affirm that this theme was the prevailing one of the book, we firmly defend it. Various arguments were established.
Manzanares, March 21th of 1999. The Old Man And The Sea What is the title of the story? A= The Old Man and the Sea. Who is the main character? A= . Santiago (The Old Man) is the main character of The Old Man and the Sea. His occupation is a fisherman. Unlike the rest of the fishing community, Santiago continues to fish using traditional methods. These methods, however, do not allow Santiago to catch many fish. Thus, he is forced to live a semi-impoverished life Who is the secondary character? A= Manolin (the young boy) is a young man and good friend of Santiago. Santiago has spent several years teaching and instructing Manolin in the traditional methods of fishing. Where and when the story takes place? A= In Cuba and out in the Gulf Stream, in the 50’. What is the climax of the story? A= During the last few moments of the Marlin's life. Santiago battles furiously with the huge fish as it thrashes about in the water. The danger to Santiago is immense because the size of the marlin is much greater than the Santiago's boat.
Ernest Hemingway in His Time. July, 1999. Universtiy of Delaware Library, Special Collections Department. 29 Dec. 2000
New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Print. The. Hemingway, Ernest. A.
The Old Man and the Sea, was written by Ernest Hemingway. In the novella, the old man, Santigo and the young boy Manolin has a relationship that goes dar beyond friendship. They have a soul bonding relationship. The boy needs the old man as a teacher and the old man needs the boy was family. Hemingway creates a very powerful, poignant relationship between the old man and the young boy throughout his novella using dialogues.