The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemmingway

Themes

Symbols

Click and explore around the image to reveal hidden themes and symbolys.

Although easily mistaken as a story of man vs. nature, The Old Man and the Sea transcends it. It is a story of a man struggling against nature, but Santiago becomes a part of nature instead of fighting it. He refers to the birds and fish as friends and tells the marlin, "Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who." Santiago succumbs to the circle of life, nature's first rule to kill or be killed, fully becoming part of nature.

Santiago's journey portrays perseverance through his struggle with the marlin. Even when it is hopeless, and all hope of returning with the marlin in one peice is gone, Santiago continues. His journey represents the struggle of life; one everyone goes through. The real winner is not the man who defeats it (because it is futile) but the man who struggles and perseveres despite failure.

Although an old man lacking physical strength, Santiago finds mental strength within himself to defeat the marlin. Santiago's age makes him old and slow, but his struggle with the marlin proves to others and himself that he is still a worthy opponent. As he chases the marlin further and further into the sea, he remembers his youth and uses that to fuel his battle.

The novella draws on Christian symbols to highlight Santiago's transformation and defeat of death. The cuts on Santiago's hands resemble Christ's wounds. He also carries the mast from his boat on his shoulder as he walks back home, similar to the crucifixion. Santiago's transcendence of struggle resembles Christ himself and his defeat of death.

The sharks represent natures terror. Although beautiful nature possess creatures like the marlin and some even more sinister the sharks. Reminisent of the romantic era ideas of the sublime the sharks are both beauty and destruction.