Preview

Old Man and the Sea

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
838 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea

Heros are made and remember in many different ways, in The Old Man and the Sea by Earnest Hemingway an old man named Santiago show just how he is ideal everyman hero.
The Old Man and the Sea symbolizes man different things that we are able to experience in our lives. In this book the great fish I believe represents the struggles and challenges that we must try and over come even if the only person you are doing it for is yourself. Sometimes in life we must do things that we don't want to do, and we think it is a waist of our time (like school) but in the long run it will help us. In the book Santiago hooks the biggest and most beautiful fish he has ever seen, but while he is fighting the fish he starts to feel sorry for it and wishes that he would have never have hooked it. pg 48 " You are killing me, fish, but you have a right to. Never have I seen a greater, or a more beautiful, or a calmeror more noblething than you, brother. Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who." When the old man demonstrates to us how he puts the line at a precise depths in the water, this shows us how we have to stay true to what we believe in and not follow the crowd. pg 14 " Others let them their lines drift with the current and sometimes they were at sixty fathoms when the fisherman thought they were at a hundred. But, I keep them with precision.". The bird that lands on the boat at the begininng of the book represents the loss of hope you can recieve when you loss or for instance don't do well on a test. pg 27 " Stay at my house if you want bird, he said. I am sorry that I can not hoist the sail and take you in with the small breeze that is rising. But I am with a friend. Just then the fish gave a sudden lurch and the brid flew away." This shows how just when the old man was becoming happy and made a friend the fish ruined it for him, but the old man never stops fighting, and keeps on hanging with the fish. The lions that he always dreams

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The story portrays a story of a fisherman who has the rare opportunity to meet an amazing creature. This is why he describes the fish as “venerable”, “homely”, and “battered”. He also stated that the fish did not fight at all; which does not become significant until near to the end of the poem when he realizes that this “tremendous” fish has finally submitted itself and given up.…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Self-worth is one of the many things people strive for, to either feel like they have a place in their town. Santiago, the main character in “The Old Man and the Sea”, feels like he needs to prove that he has a place in this town by catching a fish. There are many ways to show one’s self-worth, either by action or by their own words. Some may even feel desperate to show what they can do mainly because they’re either lonely or wish for the respect they want.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people” (Angelou). The general picture that comes to mind when the word “hero” is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. Odysseus, the hero in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, fought in the Trojan War and embarked on a ten year journey to return to his kingdom, Ithaca. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. He faces countless challenges, meets new people, and has to make sacrifices for the overall benefit of his crew (Bowler and Homer 645-705).…

    • 1620 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Old Man and the Sea

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago is challenged to fight his way through multiple forces. Him trying to overcome these obstacles are not just because of the threat to his survival. He does it for his own personal content and confidence. All throughout the book, the Old Man has to face the power of the Marlin, the sharks, the ocean, and his lack of energy. His peaceful fishing adventure changed to a not so happily ever after ending, unfortunately. Without breaking down these barriers one at a time, Santiago would never have been able to progress like he did. Though he did not end up bringing home the Marlin as proof, Santiago is motivated with his determination.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Lost Salt Gift of Blood

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Imagery is used fairly often in The Boat with the intention of not only giving the reader a sense of space and time but also an insight to the character. The father is displeased with his lack of education and current lifestyle along the coast, “the sea was behind him and its immense blue flatness stretched out to touch the arching blueness of the sky. It seemed very far away from him or else…he seemed too big for it.” (263) The author in this scenario implies the essence of the problem in the story; the narrator’s father is never unified with the sea he labors in, never achieves the connectedness that goes with working so closely with nature. As well, due to his higher aspirations, the father is too inquisitive and thirsty for knowledge to remain in such a simple place.…

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Anyone can be called on hero but not everyone deserve to be called this name “hero.” When we think of an heroic person we think of fictional characters who in reality does exist. A hero is a person who is willing to put the needs of other people before their own, despite the fact their lives may be in danger. For the past hundreds of decades some people from different periods had the opportunity to be called heros. Three characters from different piece of literatures that performed true heroic acts during abnormal circumstance.…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Achilles: A Tragic Hero

    • 2207 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Over time there have been many men and women who have received the title “hero.” They likely have been named by their bravery, strength, and willingness to give up their own comfort, if not their own life, to benefit the wellbeing of others. Every hero differs in many ways. Each one of them has his own story of heroism. The tragic hero survives in our literature.…

    • 2207 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemmingway expresses the idea that when one shows honour during struggle, defeat, and even death, one may be rewarded with greatness due to their perseverance. Hemmingway shows this through the character of Santiago, and the journey he goes on. From when he was first introduced, to the moment he caught the fish, and finally when Santiago arrives back home, he showed honour during his finest and most unfavourable moments.…

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In lines 22-23, the speaker gives a detailed view of how the fish is in a near death experience and is fighting for its life. A small use of figurative language is used to describe the view of the fish’s gills as frightening (24). This proves how scared the fish was getting as it was almost down to its last breath. The gills are revealed as “fresh and crisp with blood” to continue to reiterate that death is on the way through imagery (25-26). This shows how man’s power can either be used for the better or the worse in the world. At this point, readers can see how the environment depends on the actions of human beings. The speaker then starts to think about the interior of the fish; they speak about its “white flesh”, “bones”, “black and red entrails” and “pink swim-bladder”. As the speaker looks into the fish’s eyes (34-35), the speaker makes note of how “shallow” and “yellow” its orbital area looks. In lines 37-40, the description of the eyes is continued. At this moment, there is a showdown between the narrator and the fish. Their eyes do not leave each other and the speaker starts to reconsider its actions. It is safe to infer that the fish’s eyes read desperation as it was facing death and was in need of a miracle. Once again, this establishes how much a person can influence the world through positive or negative actions. Bishop describes how sad the fish looked (45) and later emphasized on how intense it…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Compassion In The Road

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery” (287). This is a beautiful and peaceful ending to the novel, although it is not very hopeful. The trout symbolizes the beauty of nature, and that there were so many beautiful and intricate objects and living beings before society collapsed.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Old Man and the Sea

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Throughout life, people have to face challenging situations and go against obstacles. Whether these obstacles are critical to one's life, dangerous, emotional, or don't affect the person greatly, people have to overcome and get around one obstacle until the next ones comes up. Like what Ken Lintz said, "An obstacle is often an unrecognized opportunity," meaning that overcoming an obstacle can lead to great success in a new opportunity, is something that everyone can learn.…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is Santiago A Hero Essay

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A hero is defined as someone who is perceived to be a great person who’s actions have shown triumph and/or bravery. In The Old Man And The Sea, Santiago is believed to be a hero by many due to his strength and hard work. Liza Wiemer once said, “Perseverance is the act of true role models and heroes” (goodreads.com). Santiago most definitely shows perseverance throughout the story because of his passion of fishing. His knowledge and skills make him superior to other fishermen.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Tremendous The Fish

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “The Fish” written by Elizabeth Bishop is a poem that tells a unique story between a fish and the fisherman (narrator). This poem is filled with an assortment of visual imagery to help create an immense colorful image of what was going in in the little rented boat. Bishop creates a sense or respect also throughout the poem. The poem has a relationship made from beginning to end between the fish and the narrator. The catch of the “tremendous’ fish helps the reader understand why the fisherman lets the fish go in the end. Bishop shows tone and meaning at a deeper depth to show the reader the true meaning of what the narrator the narrator was thinking. These understanding are viewed through poetic elements such as imagery, symbolism, and tone.…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Old Man and the Sea, can be construed as an allusion to the Bible and the struggles of Jesus based on Santiago’s experiences.…

    • 1696 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I enjoyed 'The Fish' for its unusual imagery, detailed description and uplifting epiphany. We are drawn into the poem by the opening lines 'I caught a tremendous fish' The poets respect for the fish is immediately conveyed, he is 'battered and venerable and homely'. A domestic simile helps us to visualise this huge, ancient fish, while evoking a sense of comfortable familiarity 'his brown skin hung in strips, like ancient wallpaper' Imaginative similes conjure up an image of the inside of the fish, his flesh is 'packed in like feathers', while his swim bladder is 'like a big poeny'. An interesting shift in the poem occurs when the poet looks into the fish's eyes and begins to engage with him. Observation leads to reflection. The poet empathises with the fish when she observes the five hooks that had 'grown firmly in his mouth'. Like the poet, I admire the fish for surviving the trials of tribulations of life. It is at this point that the poet achieves a moment of insight. The hooks are 'like medals with their ribbons, frayed and wavering', suggests that the poet now sees the fish as a war veteran. This is a wonderful comparison. The ancient fish is now a symbol for the resilience of the human spirit and for our capacity…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays