Examples Of Overcoming The Marlin

Hemingway is known for his heroic code in his novels, and the Old Man in the Sea is no different. Throughout the novel Santiago experiences several moments of truth. He also demonstrates the way to stay composed when he finally catches a fish. Finally, Santiago is destroyed, but he will not be defeated. Therefore, through the whole novel Hemingway uses Santiago to express the ideals of manhood.

Thomas Benz 8/24/15 Per.2 R.A. #1 1.) Santiago is an old fisherman who is the main character in the story. 2.) Manolin is Santiago's friend, he also fished with him before he got bad luck.

Handy’s Views on The Old Man and the Sea Literary critic William Handy believes that Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea is the the epitome of a “wise old man”. Handy is correct in saying, that there is no uncertainty of being or confusion of self values. The old man is content living his simple life as a Cuban marlin fisherman. He does not look to “move up the ladder” as most do.

Santiago is a man who surely has shown his dedication to his craft of fishing, which also shows his persistence. Throughout the entire novel he fights the overcome the various circumstances in his life and yet uses these struggles to grow as a person. Ultimately, Santiago is a great example in literature of perseverance no matter the circumstances.

In the novella, The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago is an unlucky fisherman who has not caught anything in 84 days.  Yet he sets out alone on the 85th day to try again.  For three days he struggles with a large marlin which he finally kills; but, despite his best efforts, he loses the fish to repeated shark attacks.

Throughout the constant struggle between Santiago and the fish, he is forced to prove his skills as a fisherman and conduct his discipline to retain his

Through his memories, Santiago takes pride in his past and still views himself as the strong, young man he used to be. Even with his cherished memories of the past, Santiago still doubts his own abilities after so such a long time without fish. From the book, “‘I may not be as strong as I think,’ the old man said. ‘But I know many tricks and I have resolution”’ (Hemingway 23).

In perspective of the book, the struggle the main character faces the majority of the time is man vs nature because, Santiago battle against an enormous fish, the strong currents, and his battle against sharks. In the first chapter of the novel, Santiago’s been out 84 days without a fish. He then caught an enormous fish that well passed the capacity of his skiff on his 85th day. Santiago sees the number “85”

Santiago experiences an omnibus journey to catch the fish where he encounters many dangerous animals through undulated waters. He “started to climb again and at the top he fell and lay for some time with the mast across his shoulder. He tried to get up. But it was too difficult. He sat there with the mast on his shoulder and looked at the road.” (Hemingway 121) Santiago cannot alleviate his pain after the debilitating journey with the fish. He collapses multiple times because of the extremely difficult journey he endured. Santiago’s refusal to give up on catching the fish means that he is very dedicated to his job as a fisherman. When one is ambitious toward achieving his goals, he will be more likely to attain these goals. Moreover, Santiago demonstrates his ambition to catching the fish when he says “‘I’ll fight them until I die’” (Hemingway 115). Santiago says that he will fight the sharks until he dies. This means that he will die trying to fight off the sharks to protect the fish that he fought so hard to catch over the long journey. After catching the fish Santiago still remains dedicated to protecting it from the sharks, even after the extenuating journey. This proves that Santiago realizes that being devoted to his mission of catching the fish will help him to acquire this goal.

Perseverance is a recurring trait in Santiago’s character and some of his prestige derives from his role model, Joe DiMaggio. According to the fisherman, “DiMaggio does all things perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.” This helps the man realize that whatever troubles lurk within the depths of the dark sea, it is possible to triumph in the end. Santiago proves himself king of the sea when he constantly refers to himself as a “lion on the beaches of Africa.” If nothing else, he has pride; especially when his fellow fishermen ridicule him and he “is not angry.” The man’s strength is too prevalent to let these people tear down his dignity. The shark is similar to the fishermen in that he desires to break the man’s perseverance. Nevertheless, the courageous Santiago exudes his powerful might against his foe, the shark and kills it with “resolution and complete

While talking to the boy before his embarkation, Manolin describes Santiago to be stronger than any other fish or fisherman, but Santiago knows that he is not as strong as he once was: “I may not be as strong as I think,’ the old man said. ‘But I know many tricks and I have resolution” (23). Even though Santiago knows within himself, that he is not capable of doing everything he used to be able to do, he knows that he has an advantage over any fish, and that is his intelligence. Santiago is honest enough with himself to know that he is not invincible, but that is not a reason for him to stop fishing, and shows how he lives according to his integrity and

He tries to reel it in but he can't. Instead the fish is pulling the boat! He struggles and struggles with the fish for hours. After a while fatigue takes it's toll as his hands clamp up, and his back aches from the line tied around it. The fish surfaces and Santiago realizes that it is longer than the boat he is on! An unexpected jerk leaves a gash in his hand only to add to his pain. After a very long while Santiago shortens the line to harpoon it. He latches the fish to the side of the boat and begind to tow it back to shore triumphant. Then a mako shark approaches and takes a large bite out of the marlin. Santiago kills it with a harpoon. Only later did he realize that the sharks blood would attract more sharks. As more sharks approached Santiago fought with all his might to save his fish but there was too many sharks. By the time he got to shore, he had nothing more than a skeleton. Santiago collapses from exhaustion on the shore but is found by Manolin and calls for help. The community marveled at the size of the skeleton that is still attached to the boat. Manolin takes care of the old man and vows to return to him as an apprentice. Santiago finally gets the repect from his community.

Have you ever caught an 18 foot marlin only to have it devoured by sharks on the way back to shore after a two day fight with it, Santiago has in the book The Old Man and the Sea. To make it worse, Santiago hasn’t hooked a fish in 84 days. On top of that he lost his harpoon and broke his tiller. This is what Santiago had to go through in The Old Man and the Sea. That is why I think Santiago is a failure.

The nobility of character of the old man prevents him from feel hate and rancor toward the other fishermen. Despite the taunts of the other fishermen, Santiago is quiet and admits having a bad streak of luck. This makes him an honorable man, which avoids any conflict and is able to recognize his flaws as a fisherman. Although the sea has given him several bitter drinks, he is able to keeping on loving it. “A man is honest when he acts honestly, he is humble when he acts humbly, he loves when he is loving or being loved.” (Waldmeir 165). Perhaps, the crowning act of humility in Santiago is when he is forced to recognize that by his own forces he will not be enough to grab the fish, and decides to carry out prayers to the Almighty. At the end of the hunting of the big animal, Santiago does not become conceited. His simple and humble soul thanks with a prayer for the outcome of his effort. Although the fighting has been severe and bloody, the old man was not self-styled "hero”. Santiago humbly considers himself as one fisherman more, and the categorization as a hero depends on the readers. “It is the knowledge that a simple man is capable of such decency, dignity, and even heroism, and that his struggle can be seen in heroic terms, that largely distinguishes this book.” (Young 131). The evident relation between his humility and dignity helps to place Santiago as a perfect

In this novel the old man fights and faces many obstacles that seem to have a gratifying effect on every aspect of his life. The old man is getting to old physically to do the things he done when he was young. The old man often dream about seeing lions, reminiscing on his past “He was asleep in a short time and he dreamed of Africa when he was a boy and the long golden beaches and the white beaches” (Hemingway 150 ). The old man is young at heart. Santiago is the soul that is stuck inside the old man. This is the biggest obstacle the old man will face; himself. Santiago is the young , active and outgoing side of the old man. The old man is very fatigue. Throughout the story we see both versions of the man stuffle against another. Santiago must overcome pride to progress as a fisherman. Its very hard to understand