Old Man And The Sea Summary Essay -- essays research papers

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) Type of Work Symbolic drama Setting magnetic north Coast of Cuba early twentieth century Principal CharactersSantiago, an old, weathered fisherman Manolin , a boy, Santiagos young fishing companion The Marlin, a gigantic fish stratum OverveiwEighty-four days had passed since Santiago, the old fisherman, had caught a fish, and he was forced to suffer not only the ridicule of younger fishermen, butnear-starvation as well. Moreover, Santiago had baffled his young companion, aboy named Manolin, whose father had ordered him to leave Santiago in order towork with more successful seamen. But the devoted child still loved Santiago,and each day brought food and bait to his shack, where they indulged in theirfavorite pastime talking about the American baseball leagues. The old mans title-holder was the New York Yankees Joe DiMaggio. Santiago identified with theballplayers skill and discipline, and decl ard he would like to take the greatDiMaggio fishing some time. After visiting one bad-tempered afternoon, the boy left Santiago, who fell asleep.Lions immediately filled his dreams. As a boy he had sailed to Africa and hadseen lions on the beaches. Now, as an old man, he constantly woolgather of thegreat and stately beasts. He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of Great occurrences, norof great fish, nor fights nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He onlydreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach ... He loved them as heloved the boy. Before dawn of the next day, the fisherman, as usual, hauled his salt-encrustedskiff onto the beach and set out by himself. But today, in hopes of breach hisunlucky streak, he was determined to sail into deep waters, out much fartherthan the other anglers would go. He followed the sea birds and flying fish theywould tell him b y their movements where the fish congregated. He watched the turtles swimming near his boat. He loved the turtles, "with th eirelegance and speed... " Most people are Heartless about turtles because a turtles nubble will beat forhours after he has been cut tip and butchered. The old man thought, I havesuch a heart too ... primeval on, Santiago managed to land a tenpound tuna. Thinking this a goodomen, he used the fresh meat to bait one of his lines. By n... ...ng manly courage, endurance, and noble suffering. In fact, the novel would be little more than an adventure story were it not forSantiagos dialogues with himself - his repetitive and symbolic musings,daydreams and plottings. Unlike other fishermen, who see the ocean alone in terms of economic gain,Santiago looks on the sea and its inhabitants with love and respect. Notably, heprefers to call the sea "la mar," its feminine form, rather than the harsher,masculine "el mar." Some readers may see Christian symbolism in the story Santiago means St.James in Spanish the battle with the fish lasts trio days Santiago, arriving atthe shore, carries his mast, like a cross, on his shoulders, and, like the biblicalChrist, stumbles under its load. Later, the fisherman lies down exhausted on thefloor of his hut with his weapons system stretched out stiffly and the palms of his hands up. But the giant fish - representing the hopes and dreams of mankind - and the oldmans relationship with it, is what creates the extraordinary pathos of the novel.And, in the end, even Santiagos (humankinds) modest expectations aresnatched from his grasp.