I know others better.” “Que va,” the boy says, “There are many good fishermen and some great ones, but there is only you.” “Thank you. You make me happy. I hope no fish will come along so great that he will prove us wrong.” (23) With that said, Santiago’s determination is the only reason that he is able to catch any fish. Also, he decides to not only ignore opportunities to boast his fishing skill, proving that he is above the common man trying to alleviate insecurities through bragging, but rather constantly displays a sense of humbleness and integrity. In conclusion, the sea is symbolic of the entire world in “Old Man and The Sea”, and Santiago barely even touched the water and learned so much, while teaching others even more.
After collecting himself, Santiago successfully passes his first psychological challenge realizing that “he had to choose between thinking of himself as the poor victim of a thief, or as an adventurer in quest of his treasure” (Coelho, 42). Even though the thief was not necessarily a compassionate character, his role in the novel helps Santiago develop himself tremendously early in the story. Without delay, the boy subsequently bumps into another figure that would help him on his journey to the treasure. The crystal merchant introduces a new point of view when it comes to pursuing one’s personal legend. Taking a brief look at Santiago’s upbringings, the reader finds that the boy is willing to change his overall approach to life if it allows him to pursue his dreams.
His determination, strength, intelligence, and humbleness allowed him to hold tremendous pride. Santiago was represented as a proud fishermen that never gave up and used his resources to resolve a problem. Commonly, most people in his situation would have surrendered and returned to shore. But the old man’s incredible traits helped him prevail and succeed in ways that gave him pride. Determination, intelligence, humbleness, and strength created Santiago and made him the character he
Name Tutor Course Date The Old Man and the Sea Analysis The novel The Old Man and the Sea written by American writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway tells about the man and his fight with a huge and strong fish and all obstacles he had to overcome during his exhausting fight. The Old Man and the Sea has a significant position among other works of Hemingway. What is more, it earned him the Nobel prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize It was written 12 years since his novel For Whom the Bell Rings was published achieving a huge success among critics. Some of his works published later were not as successful, and The Old Man and the Sea received warm reviews from many critics. “The Old Man and the Sea is generally considered by many to be his crowning
He found the treasure and discovered the true meaning of why he went on the long journey he did and was going to return to Fatima. Santiago had to discover his personal legend to become truly happy in
Instead of bragging to the other fishermen about his great catch that he once had, Santiago simply stays humble and returns to his home like it was a normal day. Towards the end of the novel, Hemingway makes a somewhat perfect ending by describing Santiago’s position as he collapses on his bed, “Face down with his arms out straight and the palms of his hands up.” (Hemingway) Using imagery, it is obvious that he conveys the image of Christ, restless and exhausted, while he is hung up on the cross. This specific ending displays the exhaustion Santiago must have felt. The biblical influence of the novel shows that the old man and Jesus suffered in many of the same ways, and they both are individuals who exemplify excellence by turning loss into gain, defeat into victory and even death into new
He, through writing this, wanted to show how we each play a very important role in the universe and how we have a purpose through our lives to keep the universe in balance. He realizes through this purpose how every living thing is connected and similar in some way with how we all have a purpose in this universe and this life. He shows this through the connection between him and the fish with both being of great experience and knowledge by showing endurance, strength, and skill. He realizes how noble the fish is and how it has much humility and wisdom. “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men; True nobility lies in being superior to your former self”(Hemingway).
Unfortunately, Santiago’s pursuit in life was to travel. The thought of viewing different towns and countrysides appealed to him greatly, and it was no surprise when he decided to pursue after him dream. Being a shepherd allowed him to do so, which is why you see him become one. The significance of this however is the fact that Santiago is stepping away from his old life and is ready to take on whatever his new way of life has in store for him. Here he matures and you find him listening to his heart, an important virtue the alchemist emphasised when Santiago was under his guidance.
His father asks why he would want to leave while several people come to Spain and find it a special place. “These people when they see our land say that they would like to stay here forever” (9). This thought reoccurs later on when Santiago reaches the pyramid. Refugees of the tribal wars beat him up. After, one tells Santiago he had a dream at the exact spot that they found him of a treasure buried in Spain, and describes the church and sycamore tree from Santiago’s days as a shepherd.
He uses local Cuban fisherman vocabulary eg : la Mar (the sea) which makes the story more realistic. Imagery and Symbolism : Hemingway uses symbolism frequently. He compares Santiago to a Christ-like figure who suffered as Christ did. When the sharks attack his precious Marlin Santiago cries “Ay !” Hemingway says this was a noise that a man would make in pain, and he relates it to Christs cry as the nails were driven into his hands. Lions : Santiago often dreams of lions which he saw on the beaches of Africa when he was a boy.