The Old Man and the Sea - Discussion Question 4

The main character and also the hero of The Old Man and the Sea is none other than the old man himself. To be considered a hero, one must possess certain qualities that consist of, but are not limited to strength, perseverance, wisdom, and courage. The old man demonstrates each one of these traits in a noble and striking way. Despite how the old man is portrayed, being that of a fragile human being who is low on his luck, he continually fights until the end. He faces obstacles that no normal man could survive on his own. He portrays strength, both physical and mental, when he catches the marlin. Santiago perseveres through three days of torture even though his hand is injured and he lacks food (Hemmingway 64). The old man uses his wisdom of Mother Nature and the Gulf by knowing how to care for the fish and keep him safe on the fishing line. In the end, he courageously fights off shark after shark to defend the vulnerable marlin. Santiago remarkably depicts the hero in the book through each and every hindrance he faces.

Before embarking on reading The Old Man and the Sea, I had somewhat of a mellow mindset of the novella. I was expecting the short book to be an easy read, but not anticipating a whole lot of action due to its diminutive length. I was completely surprised by the end of the story at how many symbols, themes, and other literary devices were used in such a short work of art. Each and every page brought light to the old man’s divine character. Throughout the entire story, the old man represents the abstract idea of tranquility. In every conflict he finds himself in, Santiago reacts in a calm manner. I know if I was on a boat with an eighteen foot marlin, and countless sharks were attacking the fish, I would not respond in the way the old man does. In a way, I believe Santiago symbolizes the calm in the storm. He keeps his composure and skillfully devises a plan for every sticky situation he finds himself in, and then follows through in a tranquil approach. I value the old man’s character because of his heroic and tranquil characteristics in The Old Man and the Sea.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.