e Old Man and the Sea” as an allegory of man’s struggle in life. [2021] ✪✪✪
Or Is Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” an allegory of man’s struggle in life? Justify in your answer. [2019]
Or, Do you consider “The Old Man and the Sea” as an allegory of man’s struggle in life? [2017]
An allegory is a story that bears dual meaning. “The Old Man and the Sea” (1952) is an allegory of man’s struggle in life. On the surface, it is a story of Santiago, who is struggling in the Gulf Stream. But beneath this simple story lies a deep moral and spiritual truth. Hemingway (1899–1961) uses Santiago’s fight as a symbol of man’s eternal struggle in life.
Symbol of Human Struggle: Santiago’s lonely battle with the marlin represents man’s constant struggle against life’s challenges. For eighty-four days, he fails to catch a fish, but he never loses hope. He says,
“Fish, I’ll stay with you until I am dead.”
This line shows his unbreakable spirit. The fight with the marlin is more than a fishing adventure. It is a symbol of man’s fight against fate.
Christian Allegory: Santiago’s suffering reminds readers of the pain of Jesus Christ. His hands bleed, his back aches, and he carries his mast on his shoulder like Christ carried the cross. The narrator says,
“He felt the line with his right hand and noticed his hand was bleeding.”
His wounds are not only physical but also spiritual. He endures his pain silently and accepts it as his duty. His fall on the hill with the mast symbolizes Christ’s fall on the way to Calvary. Thus, Santiago becomes a Christ-like figure who bears pain with patience and love.
Moral Victory in Defeat: Hemingway shows that defeat in body is not defeat in spirit. When the sharks attack and destroy the marlin, Santiago feels deep loss but not shame. He says with pride,
“A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
This line expresses the heart of the allegory. The sharks represent cruel forces that destroy man’s success, like time, death, and failure. But Santiago’s calm acceptance of defeat makes him greater than victory itself.
Symbols of Life and Struggle: Almost everything in the novel has a symbolic meaning. The marlin symbolizes the ultimate goal of human life. The old man’s wounded hands show the pain men suffer to reach their dreams. The sharks stand for the powers that take away the fruits of man’s labor. The boy Manolin represents youth, hope, and the future. Santiago’s dream of lions shows his love for life. He says,
“It is silly not to hope.”
This line teaches that hope keeps man alive even in suffering.
Artistic and Spiritual Allegory: In addition to being a story of courage, the novel also serves as an allegory of human creativity and faith. Santiago’s hard fight with the fish is akin to an artist’s struggle with their work. He uses skill, patience, and love to achieve perfection. The narrator says,
“The thousand times he had proved it meant nothing. Now he was proving it again.”
This shows that life is a continuous test. Man must prove his worth every day through effort and devotion. Santiago’s struggle is therefore both physical and spiritual.
In short, “The Old Man and the Sea” is more than a tale of fishing. It is a complete allegory of human life. Santiago’s courage, suffering, and hope represent man’s endless fight against pain and loss. His defeat becomes a victory of the spirit. Hemingway’s story teaches that true greatness lies in endurance, not in success. Thus, the novel stands as a timeless allegory of man’s heroic struggle in life.
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