The Old Man and the Sea Symbolism Themes Autobiographical glimpses American Thoughts of 1940s Discussion Questions

1. The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Instructor: Bibi Halima
Bibi.halima@gmail.com

2. The Old Man and The Sea
It is a simple story about an old Cuban
fisherman named Santiago, who has
had a significant run of bad luck fishing
(i.e., 84 days). "Everything about him
was old except his eyes and they were
the same colour as the sea and were
cheerful and undefeated." Attempting
to change his luck, he decides to take
his skiff further out than he has ever
gone before, "beyond all the people of
the world." Eventually, he lands the
largest Marlin he's ever seen and the
bulk of the narrative details his epic
struggle to reel in the fish and get it
back to shore.

3. • Symbolism
• Themes
• Autobiographical Glimpses
• American Thoughts of 1940s
• Lessons
• Questions

4. "There isn't any symbolism. The sea is the sea. The
old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish
is a fish. The sharks are all sharks no better and no
worse. All the symbolism that people say is shit.
What goes beyond is what you see beyond when you
know."
-Ernest Hemingway
Symbolism

5. The sea reflects the string of life which has so many treasures to be
received and so many problems to be defeated. The treasure is for
those who have courage to “go far out” just like an old man who tried
his luck and went as far as possible. The problems can be defeated
only by those who have a burning desire and endurance to challenge
the world all alone. If the sea stands for life, Marlin stands for the
highest possible goal a man can dream of and sharks represent
challenges and hurdles, a man can encounter on the way to receive
his treasure.
1. Sea
LIFE
Old man lives a life of his choice and goes far out to find a treasure. His
life perfectly equates with Henley’s poetic couplet i.e.,
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

6. Sea is symbolic of this infinite universe also; man is one the creatures
who is all alone to combat with sharks in order to capture what truly
is his. Marlin, in this sense, is man’s biggest strength and pride which
can be attacked by people (sharks) but the one who stays determined
and consistent is never defeated. The universe has to offer so much to
offer but it is only for those who are passionate and sure to achieve
something.
1. Sea
World
I am much too alone in this world, yet not alone
enough
to truly consecrate the hour.
I am much too small in this world, yet not small
enough
to be to you just object and thing,
dark and smart. -Rainer Maria Rilke

7. Apparently, Marlin occurs as an opponent but matter of the fact is
that he is a treasure which this wonderful world has in it but it is so
out-of-sight and priceless which can be bought only with man’s blood
and true desire. Marlin is only for those who are hungry for him and if
someone finds him, Marlin is capable of turning an ordinary man into
saint and undefeatable champion.
2. Marlin
Treasure
Desire, burning desire is
basic to achieve anything,
beyond the ordinary.

8. Marlin is symbolic of man’s the biggest fear; old man also
took so many years to conquer it but when he finally
captured, he became free of all bounds as depicted in the
end of novel. His struggle on the sea for three days is
reflection of his battle with the biggest fear. He makes the
difference by setting himself free of all shackles and
continues dreaming.
2. Marlin
Conquered Fear
On the other side of fear, lies
freedom!

9. Marlin proves himself as best of the
enemies who brings best in his partner
and for this reason, old man too is
seen in the novel respect him and
calling him brother or friend.
Marlin challenges old man by fighting
equally and as consistently as the
protagonist of novel who regards his
struggle and hard work.
2. Marlin The best of
opponents
“My opponent is my
teacher”
Renzo Gracie

10. The writer of the novel consciously
disguised hurdles in the face of sharks
and described them in greater details
as Dentuso and Galanos. He created
the fiercest and deadliest of hurdles
the literature will ever remember in
order to portray the intensity of
depression these challenges come up
with.
3. Sharks Hurdles/challenges
“That which does not
kill us makes us
stronger”

11. Nature of Challenges
How do they look like?
• They appear to block the chances of victory
• They may keep appearing in episodes
• They are like antagonists who act as opposing force and
hold the protagonist back just like Voldemort do in Harry
Potter series
• Their appearance maybe horrible like shovel-nosed sharks
• Their only weakness is rashness or mad uncontrolled
desire (old man hit them on brain)
• They greatly shape the sufferer and helps conflict to reach
its climax

12. The character of Manolin is carefully created
and developed in the novel who portrays the
theme of friendship. The trust both Manolin
and Santiago used to put in each other is
unforgettable. Although boy’s father prohibits
him from fishing with old man and he obeys
his parents but at the same time, he does not
abandon Santiago either. Writer also conveys
through their relationship that friendship is a
grand idea of this universe which is build on
trust and respect.
4. Manolin Friendship/Trust
“I wish the boy were
here”

13. There is a big age difference between old
man and young boy yet they are seen as
fast friends. How is it possible?
It is a selfless relationship which rely
on mutual state of Trust. They both
trust and appreciate each other which
does this magic in spite of age
difference.

14. Relationship of old man and young boy
Teacher-student
Santiago teaches him all
tricks and resolutions for
Manolin has
accompanied him on
different adventures in
the past. Boy respect
old man for he regards
old man as his spiritual
teacher who made him
learn about morals. It
was his teaching that
made boy catch big fish
afterwards when old
man was not with him.
Father-son
Santiago appears
Manolin’s father who
orders him not to waste
time. He makes good
discussion with young boy
and gives him true
suggestions as if he is real
father to him. Old man is
seen childless in the novel
and for this he wishes so
during the expedition also.
Young boy also respects
him who manages food
and makes a bed for him
as if he is a good son to
him.
Friend-to-friend
Santiago and Manolin
spends spare time
together and discuss
about each other’s likes
and dislikes frankly.
They both talk about
their personal stuff also
like dreams, ideologies
and luck etc as if they
are chums. The selfless
relationship between
them remains at the
heart of novel which
unravels the great ideas
to readers.

15. 5. Lions
Old man’s dreams are the reflection of his ideologies
and well-built character since lion is an animal who is
called the king because of his pride and honor. So is
Santiago who has noble ideologies and he thinks so
different from rest of the world which makes him victor
at the end of novel.
Old man proves himself as fearless lion who fights constantly till the end and
achieves whatever he desired for. He is a predator as clear-headed as lion
who stays so concentrated and goal-oriented towards his prey and makes his
dream possible.
His dreams of lion playing also suggest the harmony in paradoxical world of
Nature . Fierce predators play between two opposite forces i.e., destruction
and regeneration in order to bring tunefulness to this circular Nature. His
dreams also reminisce him his vivacious youthful days which have come to an
end but the memory and spirit bring harmony in the very paradox i.e., Youth
and old age.

16. 6. DiMaggio
DiMaggio acts as Old Man’s inspirations and he
thinks so high of his team (Yankees) and the player
also. Santiago measures himself against DiMaggio
and he sees part of himself in his favorite player.
This partially handicapped player inspires him
because of his leadership qualities and he also
reminds himself of DiMaggio’s bone spur when
Santiago is drained of strength because of cramped
left hand. It implies that:
1. Old man has high standards
2. Joe DiMaggio’s struggle is momentous and
old man understands that struggle is the
only redeeming factor in this world

17. 7. Old Man’s talking to
himself
Old man’s monologues are the most powerful dialogue writer
has ever written. They are symbolic of:
1. Self-awareness: Old man understands each and every signal his
body gives and he reacts accordingly.
2. Through dialogue with self he remains courageous throughout the
battle.
3. The novel reflects the time of 1940s in America when everybody was
so alone to suffer and survive. Hence, his self-talk is symbolic of
“loneliness” also.
“Be mindful of your self-talk, it is a conversation
with universe”
-David James

18. THEMES
Pride and Determination is the only source of greatness. Although, it acts as
old man’s tragic flaw yet it motivates him to reach the harbor and dream
afterwards.
Endurance and struggle is the quality of saints . Old Man’s Marlin is ravished
yet his struggle is unforgettable. He is destroyed but not defeated.
Luck: Wherever everyone is winner
At one point in novel, old man suggest that it he would “Rather be exact”,
means skills are more important than superstitious beliefs yet he believes in
luck and reminds himself that he has ”come far off”. It means, man has
boundaries beyond which he cannot go and if he goes he meets with dire
consequences. So does old man thinks that he has gone beyond human
possibility in making choice so he is punished. This “going far out” is the only
fatal flaw of novel’s hero and writer leaves his readers with question that
“does man fight against nature?”
Everything is connected:
Old Man shows association with every other creature he meets during
expedition and it conveys that man is connected to many other chains in this
boundless universe.

19. Autobiographical Glimpses
Hemingway was as bold and risk-taker as old
man dared to go far off.
He spent some time in Cuba as a fisherman and
caught Marlin also.
He has been to WWII as a war corresponded so
refers to bloodshed in the novel.
Prior to the publication of this novel, 1940-1950 is
called his “writing draught” time period for he
faced problem in creating. Critics severely tore his
writing career after for not writing for ten years
and when he finally published it in 1952, it was
nominated for Nobel Prize. In 1953, he became
successful at catching his giant fish (prize).
Hence, through this novel, Hemingway has
written back to all critics (sharks)

20. Santiago: An Archetypal Hero
Archetype: It is an original model or type which other
similar things are patterned after. It is a prototype
or first model for all others.
Archetypal Hero: It is a motif based on
overcoming obstacles and achieving
certain goals. Hero’s goal is to find
the treasure, the princess, the ring,
the golden egg, elixir of life, etc.
Psychologically these are metaphors
for one’s true feelings and unique
potential.

21. Santiago: An Archetypal Hero
Day 1
He is a lonely man who dreams
of lions but wants only one fish
Day 2
The bird and purple royal colored
water give him clue to find a
treasure hidden in the sea.
Day 3
He accidently cuts himself near
the eye which was a signal to his
upcoming blindness yet he stabs
fish
Day 4
He is attacked by devils of hell
(sharks) but he challenges them to
fight with him
Day 5
He has come back from the
water of sea physically wounded
but reborn after the destruction
for he is mentally undefeated.

22. Literature of America in 1940s
Fierce Individualism:
It was a prominent feature of American thought in 1940s, since
American history is bleak and black which made its individual fights
for survival and so did old man fight. One man alone has to oppose
all the evils and demons of nature.
Old versus New Values:
1940 was the time of America when old values were failing and new
values were on their way to make America an industrialized world.
So is seen Santiago who is the man of old values and experience
whereas, other fishermen have latest tools to do their work. For this
reason, old man is called Salao because he does not use latest tools
and sticks to his values.

23. Conflict of the Novel
Man versus Nature:
This is the main conflict of the novel which is a fight between man against
nature. Protagonist is shown confronting uncertain and hostile environment
as if nature is so strong that man does not stand a chance against her to
win.
Agents of Nature:
The treacherous sun, sea, sharks and even marlin act as agents of nature
who make the fight fierce. The luck too seems to be given by Nature that old
man is adamant to test against the natural laws. The battle becomes deadly
when it is realized that man is so alone to stand against crowded spies to
cruel forces yet he remains resilient and is not emotionally beaten at the
end.

24. Discussion Questions
• What is Hemingway’s code hero and how does it equate with the character of old
man, Santiago?
• How does Ernest Hemingway reveal character in the novel?
• What are important themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and
characters?
• What are some of the symbols in the novel, and what do they represent?
• How universal are the ideas in The Old Man and the Sea?
• Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why? How realistic is the story?
• Where does The Old Man and the Sea take place? Is the setting important to the
ideas in this book? What's Your Opinion? Would you recommend this novel to a
friend?
• In the conflict of man versus nature, who do you think stands victorious? Nature or
man?
• What does Santiago mean when he says, “keep your head clear, old man”?
• Describe Santiago’s relationship with Manolin.

25. Discussion Questions
• What does flying fish episode convey in the novel?
• The old man’s link with village is the young boy and he does not pay
heed to what others think or say about him. He feels alone most of the
time yet he thinks he lives in a good village. What do you think what
trait of old man writer wanted to reveal through this behavior of
Santiago?
• What is defeat and failure for old man?
• Why old man idealized the baseball player DiMaggio? What traits of him
are aspired by Santiago?
• Towards end of novel, the old man reflects on the nature of his actions,
especially the killing of the marlin, and wonders about the idea of
committing sin. Is the old man right to kill the marlin? Why or why not?
Analyze the old man's justifications for killing the marlin and devise an
argument about the rightness or wrongness of the old man's actions.

26. “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff
on the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-
four days without a fish.”