Hemmingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” is the story of Santiago an old, Cuban fisherman. Santiago has not been able to catch a fish for eighty-four days and he is ridiculed and laughed at by everyone in his village except his young friend Manolin. Santiago sets out farther than usual determined to catch a fish and he ends up hooking the largest marlin he has ever seen. For three days the fish pulls him and he holds the line in his bare hands. Finally the fish tires and he is able to bring him along side the boat. As Santiago returns, sharks attack the marlin and when he returns to his village little is left of the fish, but its skeleton. Even though nothing is left of the fish, the size of the skeleton restores his reputation in the village and allows Santiago to regain his pride.
Hemmingway’s writing style is direct and to the point, yet very descriptive. He uses a narrator to tell the story, but he also provides us with the thoughts and feelings of Santiago. Santiago flashes back on significant events in his life. This makes the storyline of his time at sea more entertaining and believable because it allows the reader to relate to his state of mind. The character of Santiago develops through his ordeal and we feel his pain and we become a part of his struggle. Santiago often talks to himself and to the fish. This adds to the story because it lets the reader know what he is thinking without actually saying it. Overall, Hemmingway successfully used his writing style, character development and diction to create a believable and compelling story.
Several passages in ‘The Old Man in the Sea” are appealing and reveal Santiago’s true character. “The fish is my friend too,” he said aloud. “I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad that we do not have to try and kill the stars.” (p. 75) This passage is appealing because it shows that Santiago respects the world around him and his opponent. At one point, Santiago says, “I told the boy I was a strange old man. Now is when I must prove it.” The thousand times he had proved it meant nothing. (p. 66) This shows Santiago’s determination to strive and be victorious. He is treating this challenge as the most important of his life and he needs to restore his pride. This is appealing because of the tone Hemmingway sets. When Santiago and Manolin reunite at the end of the novel, they share the following conversation: “Now we fish together again.” “No. I am not lucky. I am not luck anymore.” “The hell with luck,” the boy said. “I’ll bring the luck with me.” (p. 125) This is appealing because it shows that Manolin has the same love for Santiago that the old man has for him. The reader knows that their relationship will endure and they will care for one another.
