Old Man and The Sea

What did you think?

What sort of stories are similar to OMATS?

• Remember, this takes place in a fishing village in Cuba.

• There is a struggle between Man and Nature.

What is “allusion”?

Allusion means a reference to something

else, for example another art form or

novel.

Did you know that Hemmingway was

alluding to a much bigger story through

Santiago’s struggle?

Some interesting notes• The word salao refers to Santiago being an unlikely hero.

Fate is already against him (9).

• Manolin idolizes Santiago not for what he has earned and accomplished but for what he represents-nobility, honor, dignity, all manly qualities Hemingway believed in (10).

• Santiago views his relationship with the boy as equal--he is no better than Manolin (11).

Can you think of other stories with unlikely heroes?

Is the sea a character?

• Hemingway describes the sea through the senses of Santiago. It is a central character. It is also a part of Santiago.

• Hemingway describes the sea as wild and wicked, doing things only because it doesn’t know any better. The sea is used to show his ideas of women, and in most cases it is a negative image.

What about the marlin?• -(64, 68) Santiago believes that the marlin is better than

himself and that nature is greater than the best human.

• -(75) Santiago worries that once he gets the marlin back and sold, the people that eat him will not be worthy. This brings up the question, why continue? If he were to give up now, he would lose.

• -(92) Santiago has built the marlin up so much in his mind to be a noble beast that he no longer cares who wins. He believes it is just as noble to die because of the marlin as it is for him to win.

What are examples of Santiago’s unity with nature?

Can you remember?

Here’s a hint: he said the stars were his

brothers (77). What else?

What’s the deal with Santiago’s hand cramp?

• (58) The cramp in Santiago’s hand is important because:

– it creates more tension and something else he has to overcome to win and be considered a hero

– Santiago speaks to his hand as if it is separate from himself. This shows he cannot take responsibility for his body breaking down; old age is setting in.

– (62) It’s the inner dignity of accepting defeat and losing control of one’s self.

– It symbolizes Hemingway’s writers block. This is the first time he takes responsibility for the failures in his life.

What are the characteristics of a true man according to Santiago?

According to Santiago, to be considered a man one must

- Be fearless and confident- Not allow pain doesn’t bother you- Not accept failure or defeat- Always be in charge of one’s self and the opponent

What is the end of the book all about?

The end of the book focuses on Santiago and

how he deals with adversity with dignity and

grace.

What do the sharks represent?

• the critics tearing apart Hemingway’s work

• the negative, destructive aspect of nature

• Santiago’s guilty conscience

Does the shark-eaten marlin represent something?

(103) The more we see the marlin fall apart, the

more unstable Santiago becomes mentally and

emotionally.

Important note: Hemingway believes a man can

be defeated, but he should never be destroyed.

He must try again.

Is the story really religious?

(105) The three things Hemingway says about sin are:– man is fated to sin and to suffer for it– that to sin is proof of living the manly life– that it contradicts the natural theme of the story.

(107, 121, 122) Three allusions to Santiago being like Christ:

– 107-being nailed to the cross– 121-carrying the cross to be crucified– 122-same body posture as being nailed on a

cross– Hemingway does this to show the similarity that

both had to give the ultimate sacrifice.

What does Santiago think about losing the marlin?

• (115, 120) Santiago accepts responsibility for what happens to him and the fish and says it was his pride that made him do what he did.

• (124) Santiago accepts that he has lost; however, he handles it with dignity and grace and plans to go back out and try fishing again.