Themes from The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway once said, “there is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed,” (“Ernest Hemingway Quotes” 1). For Hemingway, writing came naturally. He had the ability to write deceptively simple stories that have a huge amount of depth beneath the surface. Ernest Hemingway utilizes many different themes in his novel The Old Man and the Sea. Some of these include age, religion, and love. Hemingway developed a fixation on age and, more specifically, death after his father’s suicide (Byrd, Lawler, and Wilson 1). The title character of the novel, Santiago, is old to the point of appearing dry and decaying (Bloom 12). “His very old-ness is monumental and rock-like,” according …show more content…
Specifically, in this case, Christian allegory. “Santiago shows... certain qualities of mind and heart which are clearly associated with the character and personality of Jesus Christ in the Gospel stories.” Some of these Christ-like qualities include gallantry, militance, staying power, the ability to ignore physical pain, and concentration on a larger goal (Bloom 30). “Even in his suffering he thinks of others,” just as Christ did (Napierkowski and Stanley 200). After he learns what he is facing, Santiago finds that what is already inside of him will enable him to win (Bloom 29). Even in loss, Santiago has no complaints (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). The image of the crucifixion grows stronger throughout the story (Bloom 30). This image reaches its climax when Santiago is shown struggling up the hill towards home with the mast from his boat on his shoulder (Szumski 75). He then proceeds to collapse face down with his arms out and his palms up like Christ on the cross (Tyler 132). Hemingway says, “a man can be destroyed but not defeated,” which describes how Santiago was all but destroyed by his ordeal, but was also, in a way, reborn by it (Hemingway …show more content…
Although they are opposites, Santiago and Manolin have a very harmonious relationship (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). Their relationship is tranquil and sure. They give one another the support that is necessary. “Manolin wants everything good for Santiago,” (Szumski 63). He provides Santiago with physical and emotional support and inspires Santiago to face the marlin instead of letting go (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). During the battle, Santiago craves his companionship, instead of desiring extra help to beat the fish (Napierkowski and Stanley 201). Santiago goes as far as beginning to imagine that Manolin has come with him, even though he has not, because he misses him so (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). In the end, they are two imperfect people who bring out the best in one another (Szumski
Ernest Hemingway once said, “there is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed,” (“Ernest Hemingway Quotes” 1). For Hemingway, writing came naturally. He had the ability to write deceptively simple stories that have a huge amount of depth beneath the surface. Ernest Hemingway utilizes many different themes in his novel The Old Man and the Sea. Some of these include age, religion, and love. Hemingway developed a fixation on age and, more specifically, death after his father’s suicide (Byrd, Lawler, and Wilson 1). The title character of the novel, Santiago, is old to the point of appearing dry and decaying (Bloom 12). “His very old-ness is monumental and rock-like,” according …show more content…
Specifically, in this case, Christian allegory. “Santiago shows... certain qualities of mind and heart which are clearly associated with the character and personality of Jesus Christ in the Gospel stories.” Some of these Christ-like qualities include gallantry, militance, staying power, the ability to ignore physical pain, and concentration on a larger goal (Bloom 30). “Even in his suffering he thinks of others,” just as Christ did (Napierkowski and Stanley 200). After he learns what he is facing, Santiago finds that what is already inside of him will enable him to win (Bloom 29). Even in loss, Santiago has no complaints (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). The image of the crucifixion grows stronger throughout the story (Bloom 30). This image reaches its climax when Santiago is shown struggling up the hill towards home with the mast from his boat on his shoulder (Szumski 75). He then proceeds to collapse face down with his arms out and his palms up like Christ on the cross (Tyler 132). Hemingway says, “a man can be destroyed but not defeated,” which describes how Santiago was all but destroyed by his ordeal, but was also, in a way, reborn by it (Hemingway …show more content…
Although they are opposites, Santiago and Manolin have a very harmonious relationship (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). Their relationship is tranquil and sure. They give one another the support that is necessary. “Manolin wants everything good for Santiago,” (Szumski 63). He provides Santiago with physical and emotional support and inspires Santiago to face the marlin instead of letting go (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). During the battle, Santiago craves his companionship, instead of desiring extra help to beat the fish (Napierkowski and Stanley 201). Santiago goes as far as beginning to imagine that Manolin has come with him, even though he has not, because he misses him so (“The Old Man and the Sea” 1). In the end, they are two imperfect people who bring out the best in one another (Szumski