Historical Context: The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway
About

Completed in 1951, and published in 1952, ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ is considered
Hemingway’s greatest work of fiction. It was also his last major publication during his
lifetime.

The novella was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. A year later, the Nobel
committee awarded Hemingway the Noble Prize for Literature and cited The Old Man
and the Sea as a major influence in their decision-making process.

The novella was dedicated to Charlie Scribner, the president of the publishing
company, and to Max Perkins Hemingway’s literary editor. The book was a huge
success. The first edition ran 50,000 copies and made Hemingway an international
celebrity. Since its initial publication, the novella has become a staple in English classes
around the world.

The Old Man and the Sea is part of the Modernist period of literature that originated in
the late 19th and 20th centuries. The movement is characterized by a break with
traditional ways of writing. It touched both poetry, prose fiction, and drama.

Hemingway’s Personal History

It is believed that the “old man” in the novella, Santiago, is based around Gregoria
Fuentes, Hemingway’s first mate. But Hemingway most certainly saw himself in the
figure of Santiago. He lived a distinctly adventurous life, serving as an ambulance
driver in Italy and eventually winning the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery. Hemingway
spent a great deal of time after World War I hunting and camping. Most importantly in
the context of the novel, Hemingway adored fishing, specifically on his boat The Pilar.
He also went on safari and hunted in the Serengeti, exemplifying the characteristics of
many of his protagonists. These included soldiers, hunters, and other people he
portrayed as courageous, often fighting back against society or nature.

During the 30s Hemingway spent time in Paris. It was there he became part of the
“Lost Generation” of American writers who had moved to Europe post-WWI. He spent
time in the company of Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. Themes of alienation,
separation, and disillusionment can be found throughout Hemingway’s novels and
short stories.

It was in the late 1930s that Ernest Hemingway first sailed to Cuba. He lived there
briefly before returning in the 40s. In total, he spent 20 years of his life there. Part of
this period was one in which he went without literary success and many critics
considered his career finished. For some, after a prolonged period of poor reviews, the
imagery of sharks tearing apart the marlin seemed to symbolize an attack on those who
had degraded Hemingway’s repetition and future prospects as a writer. In the end,
Hemingway triumphed over his critics.

After receiving the Nobel Prize in 1954 Hemingway dedicated the award to the Cuban
people who had been so influential in his creation of The Old Man and the Sea. The
novella was a worldwide success and incredibly important in bolstering Hemingway’s
career. It prompted a general reassessment of Hemingway’s entire oeuvre. His words
were reexamined, and his position in the annals of literary history elevated.

The Legacy of The Old Man and the Sea

Since its publication, three separate films have been made in attempts to profit off of,
and do justice to Hemingway’s narrative. The first, directed by John Sturges, was
finished in 1958 and starred Spencer Tracy. The second was a miniseries/television
movie in 1990. It was directed by Jud Taylor and starred Anthony Quinn. This adaption
was nominated for three Emmy Awards. The third was an animated short film released
in 1999 and directed by Aleksandr Petrov, a Russian animator. This version is arguably
the most successful. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in
addition to several other awards.

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Emma Baldwin

Emma graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in English, minor in Creative
Writing, BFA in Fine Art, and BA in Art Histories. Literature is one of her greatest
passions which she pursues on Book Analysis.