Pride is a central theme in the story. Santiago is said to be the “worst form of unlucky” because he has not caught a fish in a long time, but he does not mind what people say and continues to fish (1). He does not want to look bad when he is compared to the other fishermen so he pushes on. Santiago wonders when he learned humility but he knows that he never lost his pride. Because of his pride, Santiago goes too far out to catch his fish and he is not able to sail back to land without his being taken away. However, Santiago realizes his mistake and apologizes to the dead marlin saying “I am sorry that I went too far out. I ruined us both” (60). He also questions his motives for wanting to kill the fish and decides that he “did not kill the
