S3 English

The Old Man and the Sea

Worksheet 4 KEY

Name: _______________________________ Class: 3_____ ( ) Date: ____________________

Santiago versus the Marlin

A. The Arm-wrestling Match

1. The wrestling match took place in Casablanca.

2. The match lasted one day and one night.
3. The opponent was a negro from Cienfuegos.
4. A detail that shows how tough the match was, is that blood came out
of both of their fingernails.
5. Santiago’s nickname at the time was Santiago El Campeon (Santiago
the Champion).
6. Who won the match? Santiago.
7. Who won the re-match? Santiago.
8. Why did Santiago think about this arm-wrestling match while fighting
with the marlin? He thought about this match to give himself
confidence.

B. Physical Suffering

1. During this fight, what are Santiago’s concerns regarding his body?
a. He has not slept properly, and feels tired/fatigued.
b. He must remember to eat, to keep up his strength (he eats a dolphin
and 2 flying fish).
c. His hands are both cut badly, as the fish has been pulling the line, and
the line running through his hands has cut them.
2. “It is not bad,” he said. “And pain does not matter to a man.” (p. 64)
a. What is “it”? “It” is the condition of the injuries/wounds/cuts on his
right hand.
b. What does this quotation tell you about Santiago’s character?
Santiago believes that a man should be able to withstand pain and be
able to work through it. (He would likely not admit that physical pain or
suffering is bothering him.)
3. The marlin has been pulling the skiff for several days. According to
Santiago, how has the fish suffered?
The fish has suffered from the pain of the fish hook in his mouth, it has
not eaten (it is hungry), and it is suffering from not
knowing/understanding what it is fighting against. After nearly 4 days,
the fish is also tired.
4. As Santiago contemplates (thinks about) the pain in his hands, what
does he think would have changed his condition?
He wishes the boy was there to help him, as the boy would wet the
fishing line. This would reduce the cuts he is suffering, from the line
passing through his fingers.
5. What was Santiago’s main worry about not getting enough sleep?
He was worried that without sleep, he would be unclear in his head (p.
58).
6. What did Santiago dream about, as he waited for the marlin to fight?
a. He dreamt about a school of porpoises.
b. He dreamt about being in his village in his bed, while a north wind
blew.
c. He dreamt about the long yellow beach, and about the lions. (2nd time)
7. As he struggles with the marlin, how does Santiago feel physically?
He is tired (no sleep), his hands and back hurt (from holding the line),
and he begins to see spots in front of his eyes (as he pulls on the line).
His sweat falls into his eyes, and he also feels faint and dizzy. (p. 66 – 67)

C. Final Battle with the Marlin

1. Over the course of days 3 and 4 at sea, the marlin fights with Santiago
and then finally dies. Summarize the great fish’s actions.
a. The fish jumps out of the water about 12 times (which fills up the sacks
along his back with air, so he can’t dive deep).
b. The fish continues to pull the boat farther out to sea.
c. The fish swims in circles and then hits the wire leader (a kind of fishing
line) with his spear.
2. How does Santiago kill the marlin?
As the fish circles and weakens, Santiago begins to pull in the line. Once
the fish is close enough, Santiago kills him with the harpoon (a long
sharp spear). (p. 72)
3. After he kills the marlin, does Santiago celebrate? Why or why not?
Santiago did not celebrate the death of the marlin because he feels that
he has killed his brother. He wants to touch and feel it, as he thinks he
had felt the heart of the fish when he harpooned it. He then does the
“slave work” of tying the fish to the boat.
4. What are Santiago’s thoughts as he finishes his work tying down the
fish?
Santiago thought about the weight of the fish (at least 1500 pounds) and
the (monetary) value of the fish. (p. 74)
5. What are Santiago’s thoughts on manhood during this struggle? Do you
agree with him? Why or why not?
Santiago feels that he must keep his head clear and know how to suffer
like a man. (p. 71) (this implies that a man should not complain about
having to struggle or feel pain; do you think this is good advice?)