Text Response 2 The Old Man and the Sea is about more than just going fishing.

Discuss

Sandy Awad 9B

Hemingways The Old Man and the Sea tells the reader of an old man who tries to catch a marlin. Since the novella was first published in 1952, critics have argued that there is a subtext that is about much more than fishing. As Hemingway was in his late years when he wrote the novella, it is probable that he saw a lot of himself in Santiago. The old man worries about losing his strength and not being able to fish like he once could. He no longer dreamed of storms, nor women, nor of great occurrences, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach1. The lions on the beach have been seen as symbols of Santiagos younger years. Hemingway was interested in manly pursuits such as fishing, hunting and watching bull fighting but as a result of old age, he had to take life a lot easier. This poses the question: is The Old Man and the Sea about Hemingways refusal to accept old age? Throughout the novella Santiago struggles to accept his fate. He derives some satisfaction from catching the marlin. The marlin marks the end of his unlucky eighty-four day streak. The fish proves he still has the strength and courage he once had. He hopes to bring it back but he knows he cannot win over the sharks. It was too good to last he thought. I wish it had been a dream now and that I had never hooked the fish and was alone in bed on the newspapers.2 Why does he fight the sharks even though he has already failed? ...man is not made for defeat.... A man can be destroyed but not defeated3. Santiago cannot accept his fate, although he knows the sharks have beaten him. In addition to this, courage plays an important part in the novella. Santiago is the typical Hemingway hero. Hemingway admires and respects his quiet courage in the face of danger. The old man resists giving in to his fate until the end. Some interpretations of the book have introduced religious references and allusions and named Santiago as a Christ-like figure. There is no doubt Hemingways literary work can be interpreted in many different ways.

1 2

(pg.16) Ibid (pg.79-80) 3 Ibid (pg.80)