Old Man and the Sea 1

The writing reveals that the author has a positive attitude on life and many important values. Hemmingway clearly values doing something he enjoys for a living. His main character, Santiago, is a prideful fisherman who has gone many days without a good catch. He keeps a positive attitude and always tries to catch the fish that seem to elude him every day. Through Santiago, Hemmingway values hard work. Before he was commonly known as the old man, Santiago went by El Campeón. He was unstoppable and won a day-long match of arm wrestling against the strongest man on the docks. This shows how the author finds persistency and determination to be important values. The old man also uses this persistence and determination against the fish. He spends days struggling with the largest fish he has ever seen or even heard of. The author also values a good story. When the old man finally gets back home he has gained nothing more than a story, but that is all he needs. All of the fishermen see the skeleton of the eighteen foot fish and gain a new respect for the old man. Santiago says he is not religious, but I believe the author values his religion. Santiago wishes for God to get rid of the cramp in his hand, and in his desperate times he vows to say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys if he catches the fish. He also promises to take a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Cobre. There is also a lot of Christian imagery throughout Santiago’s battle with the fish. Both Santiago and the fish are perceived to be like Jesus. The fish is sacrificed as food for others when it is torn apart by the sharks. This is similar to the story of Jesus sacrificing himself to pay for people’s sins. Santiago has to carry his mast which is similar to Jesus carrying the cross. Throughout the entire story the author reveals many of his values and shows his attitude about his writing.

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