The Old Man and the Sea By Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway Early Years: Born in Oak Park, Illinois. Was the son of a doctor and a music teacher. At age 18, he volunteered as an ambulance driver in Italy during WWI, where he was badly injured. The Reporter He started his writing career as a reporter for the Kansas City Star. In 1921, he served as a correspondent in Paris for the Toronto Daily Star. Achieved fame as a chronicler of the disaffection felt by many American youth after WWI. In 1936, wrote for Esquire about a Cuban fisherman. Covered the Spanish Civil War

Ernest Hemingway The Adventurer: In Paris in the 1920’s, he fell in with a group of expatriate writers. A big game hunter in Africa An avid fisherman in Cuba A boxer, a bull-fighter and a huge fan of baseball. Won a Bronze Star in WWII as a war correspondent in combat. Flew in small planes to dangerous places; crashed twice. Married four women; divorced three. A macho man personified The Famous Novelist: His novels, The Sun Also Rises (1926) and A Farewell to Arms (1929) established him as a dominant literary voice of his time. Published For Whom the Bell Tolls in 1940. Won the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for The Old Man and the Sea in 1953. Awarded the Medal of Honor by Batista, the former dictator of Cuba.

Ernest Hemingway His Later Years: Nicknamed himself “Papa” (had a white grizzly beard and jolly looking face) His father committed suicide. He became very paranoid and depressed. In 1961, at age 61, he killed himself with a shotgun in Ketchum, Idaho. His Writing Style: Very terse He uses a condensed sentence structure and simple language. Was revolutionary for his time and was imitated by generations of young writers.

Characterization of Santiago Protagonist A skilled fisherman who has a deep respect for the sea and all of nature Elderly; very poor Confident despite periodic setbacks or failures Determined; feels it is a sin to lose hope Proud Humble Idolized Joe DiMaggio for his return to baseball despite a battle with bone spurs Loved baseball Loved Manolin and taught him how to fish; all of his skill, expertise and love of nature will live on through the boy. Lonely Christ-like (symbol)

Characterization of Manolin Minor character Truly loves and respects the old man A “nurturer” to Santiago Will learn all Santiago has to teach him about fishing, the sea, and his respect for nature. Will carry on Santiago’s legacy. Through him, Santiago will never die.

Point of View Third Person limited omniscient Focuses on Santiago, helping us to understand his character and feel his emotions (uses an introspective Monologue when Santiago is alone on the sea). Allows the reader to sympathize with Santiago and his plight The Stream of Consciousness technique is used. (Hemingway has Santiago flashback to various events or memories of his life –out of consecutive order, randomly– while he is semi-delirious on the water after being out to sea with very little food for a few days.) This helps his plight (or ordeal) seem realistic. It also helps to provide additional background information.

Setting Time Period: The Late 1940’s The book spans a period of 5 days Place:-A small fishing village near Havana, Cuba in a shack; --In a boat on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Flashbacks His wrestling match with the El Negro en Cienfuegos from when he was younger and in his prime The pictures of his wife suggesting his past life with her The memories of the two marlins that he and Manolin encountered on a previous fishing trip. He remembers when he fished with Manolin and would talk to him to prevent becoming lonely

Roles of Minor Characters The Marlin: Calls the marlin “his brother”; considers it his equal and a very worthy opponent He has a great deal of respect and admiration for the marlin Although he had a harpoon through his heart, he was mighty enough to jump one last time to show his power and greatness.

Role of Joe DiMaggio Joe DiMaggio: *Worshipped by Santiago as a model of strength and commitment. (Idol) *Santiago’s thoughts turn to him whenever he needs to reassure himself of his own strength. (Inspiration) *Despite a painful bone spur that might have crippled another player, he went on to secure a triumphant career in baseball for the NY Yankees. *He never actually appears in the novel. (Allusion)

Motifs Defined as: A word or a phrase repeated throughout a work that takes on meaning through its repetition. Suffering Baseball and Joe DiMaggio Dreams of the lions on the beach Luck Life from death Crucifixion imagery

Symbolism of Santiago Santiago = “everyman” Santiago = Jesus Christ As a result of this, the novella is a Christian Allegory.

Symbolism of Nature Man of War bird (that has no chance) = not admitting failure Turtles (their hearts continue to beat after death) = How Santiago’s heart or spirit is undefeated. Weary Warbler = threats of impending doom (for him…the hawks; for Santiago…the sea and later the sharks) Mako shark = noble enemy (beautiful, dangerous) Shovel-nosed sharks = those who take advantage of others’ work; exploiters; the destructive forces of the universe.

Symbolism of the Marlin Noble and worthy adversary; the ideal opponent Larger than life Does the unexpected Perseveres; does not give up Worthy of Santiago’s effort and strength

Symbolism of the Lions on the Beach In the first two dreams, they represent youth (innocence and playfulness) In the last dream, they represent the circular nature of life. (Manolin will fish with Santiago from now on, learning all of his skills, expertise, and love and respect of nature. Through Manolin, Santiago’s legacy will live on!) Also, because lions are fierce predators, playing, his dream suggests a harmony between opposing forces such as: life and death, love and hate, and the destruction and regeneration of nature.

Crucifixion Imagery/Symbolism: Santiago as Christ The 40 days w/out a fish represents Jesus’ time wandering in the desert and tempted by Satan The cuts on Santiago’s hands While carrying the mast home after returning with the carcass of his marlin, he stumbles and falls 5 times. When Manolin finds Santiago the next morning, he is laying face down on his bed with his arms spread out, palms up. Santiago tells Manolin that he will need to rest, but he will be able to fish with him in 3 days. (This resembles the resurrection: Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion.)

Themes Unity w/Nature Heroism & Fighting the Good Fight Defeat: “Man is not made for defeat…A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Success: Material v. Inner, Spiritual Self-Respect/Pride Worthiness Manhood Exceeding limits