Preview

Santiago Character Sketch - the Old Man and the Sea

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
706 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Santiago Character Sketch - the Old Man and the Sea
In Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, we meet the old man Santiago, who is a persistent, hardy, and prideful individual. He exemplifies these character traits in his struggles to earn back the respect and reputation among the local fisherman. To do this, he sails out much farther than the other fishermen, in hopes if finding a big fish to bring back – bigger than any of the fish they have caught. Overall, Santiago exhibited all of the traits of any great fisherman; persistence, hardiness, and pride. Perhaps though, one of his greatest traits was the persistence he always seemed to show.

Santiago showed great persistence throughout the story. Despite the fact he had not caught a fish in over eighty-four days, he continues to go out in hopes of coming in with a large catch. Day after day he would go out, and even after the fortieth day, when Manolin is forced by his father to abandon him, he would still go out. When he finally hooks the Marlin, and he battles with it for three days battling both his hunger and injuries at the same time. Through his persistence he wins this battle, but he soon faces another with the sharks who have come to attack his catch. Santiago's persistence showed again as he battled the sharks who were attacking the marlin he had caught. Time after time, he would fight off the sharks to save his prized catch. This shows his great amount of persistence, as well as his hardiness.

In addition to his persistence, Santiago was also quite a hardy individual. He was essentially living in poverty, with almost nothing to his name, yet he always seemed to find a way to endure, sometimes with Manolin's help, but more than often on his own. His hardiness allowed for him to sail out farther and farther and survive for his time out at sea. Santiago's hardy nature enabled him to endure the struggle with the marlin, and eventually win it. This same trait showed again in his battles with the sharks in his sail back to the island. Although his

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Ernest Hermingway’s novella, The Old Man and The Sea characterizes Santiago as an old man who is going it alone from struggling against defeat. In the opening paragraph, Santiago has been without fish for 84 days, and will soon pass his own record of 87 days. Almost as a reminder of Santiago’s struggle, the sail of his skiff resembles “the flag of permanent defeat”.…

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Santiago's Husband Quotes

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Santiago ponders about those who use buoys as floats and motorboats for vehicles. Therefore, they were more modern in their technology and spoke of the sea as their enemy. Hemingway states, “Some of the younger fishermen, those who used buoys as floats for their lines and had motorboats, bought when the shark livers had brought much money, spoke of her as el mar which is masculine” (30). Depicting of the sea as male, the younger fishermen believed contesting the sea is the way to reap rewards. Using less traditional equipment, they see the sea as a rugged competition and battle him for…

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good 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
  • Powerful Essays

    “No one should be alone in their old age, he thought. But it is unavoidable. I must remember to eat the tuna before he spoils in order to keep strong. Remember, no matter how little you want to, that you must eat him in the morning. Remember, he said to himself.” Yet again, Santiago pairs one of his burdens with the optimism that to acutely characterizes him. He freely admits to being a lonely, old man, and yet it is this common theme of determination that presents itself here, yet again, to help the old man overcome his obstacles. He has the mindset that he is going to preserver until the end of time, which literally for him could mean his death. On page 52, he actually confirms this notion, saying “Fish…I’ll stay with you until I am dead.” His pure strength of mind is so unbelievable fortified here that he has no trouble in bluntly admitting to his own likely demise. There is a significant difference between admitting to something, and succumbing to it, however. Santiago In this case, however willing to admit to his flaws and handicaps, is in no way yielding to his own demise. He is ready to give all he’s got in the name of this war of fish versus man. He confirms this fact on page 54 when he says “Fish…I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There is no amount of physical abuse or pain on Earth that can satisfy Santiago's pride and honor, that remain invincible. Even though the fisherman knows he's had bad luck catching fish for 87 days, he still states that he has plenty of fish to eat, because he would perfer hunger over shame any day. Satiago faces major risks by traveling to the deep seas alone. But during his adventure he catches the marlin that justifys his reliance and pride upon himself. Santiago's attitude towards his big catch shows his extent in his honor. He takes pride in the endurence and strength it took to defeat his opponent. Santiago loves fish even though he kills them on a…

    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    This relation specifically shows the dedication and determination that Santiago had to never give up even after fighting with the marlin for three straight days with no…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    How Does Santiago Exist

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages

    52) This just flat out shows Santiago’s determination to catch the marlin because it could be all the luck in his life. “I’ll kill him though, in all his greatness and his glory. ”(Hemingway pg. 66) This is another quote that just shows that he is very determined to catch the fish.…

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Santiago's Unlucky

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Even though Santiago didn’t end up catching a fish he still had confidence and hope of catching a fish. He went a very long time without catching one and when he finally did he lost it. Not every fisher is going to be lucky like others. The point is he never gave up, and that is all that matters. "But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated." (pg 103) You have to keep trying until you achieve your goal. You may fail but you must keep going. Confidence is the…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 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
  • Good Essays

    Santiago Vs Ishoo

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In “ Old Man and The Sea “ by Ernest Hemingway Santiago is a poor old man that survives in life by fishing. With his wife dead and him never having kids he is the only person left in his family. For 84 days in a row Santiago goes without catching a single fish. This is a man that works to feed himself and he is not catching anything. Santiago is a hero like character. With the extreme dedication to his craft and masterful patience the type of person that Santiago is, is who everyone else would like to model himself after. While most strive for money and material goods Santiago represents something more powerful and unique.…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Old Man and the Sea

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Throughout the entire story, Santiago is facing all the elements within the ocean. These include the Marlin, sharks, finding food, and more. For the majority of the story the Marlin is the main struggle and obstacle the Old Man must overcome. Even though Santiago is very anxious to bring the Marlin home, he doesn't rush the hunt and remains patient. Catching this fish would mean he would break his bad luck streak that had been going on for over eighty days, and he would gain more respect as a fisherman, not only from other people, but himself.…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is Santiago A Hero Essay

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    However, many of his actions and characteristics gift him with the quality of a hero. Although some say that Santiago failed to protect the fish, he risked his life attempting to save it. Some could also argue that his attempts were futile, but despite not saving the fish, Santiago was able to defend against massive amounts of sharks and still manage to survive. Another valid argument is how Santiago did not catch a fish for 84 days, but he was believed to have “salao”, which is the worst form of unlucky. On top of that, he is a very skilled fisherman, so if his luck is that terrible, then it must have had an impact on Santiago despite his…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Santiago's Destruction

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Destruction and Defeat Could you imagine catching an 18 foot long marlin? The marlin, eaten by a shark on the way home, could not defeat the fact that catching the great fish is a victory. Santiago did this in the book the Old Man and the Sea by Earnest Hemingway. He is victorious at the end of the story for multiple reasons-he has endurance, he is never defeated, and he does not lose faith throughout the entire story.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Santiago Hemingway Hero

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages

    "Santiago, throughout his hardships of his three-day fight with the marlin, displays courage by keeping at the task, no matter how tired he gets, and 'going the distance, ' (Dwiggins). This "going the distance" she speaks of is not only the fact that he went the distance by holding onto the marlin, and not letting it go, but also going out farther than the rest of the fisherman normally would. Not only did he go further than the fisherman in that factor, but also in the factor of vowing for a fight with the Marlin to the death. He was not going to let go, no matter the cost. "Just as Santiago goes 'far out ' beyond the lesser ambitions of the other fishermen, he finds the great fish not simply because he was the better fisherman, but because, in a symbolic sense, he deserves it," (Davis 6). Why does Santiago…

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful 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