The Old Man and the Sea
Novel
|
Ernest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: The Old Man and the Sea
Author: Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
When Written: 1951
Where Written: Cuba
When Published: 1952
Literary Period: Modernism
Genre: Fiction (novella); Allegory
Setting: Late 1940s; a fishing village near Havana, Cuba, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Climax: When Santiago finally harpoons and kills the marlin; when Santiago fights...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Key Facts
The Old Man and the Sea Summary
Summary
Day One
Santiago, an old fisherman, has gone 84 days without catching a fish. For the first 40 days, a boy named Manolin worked with him. But Manolin's parents made him leave Santiago. They made Manolin work on a “luckier” boat. Even though Manolin now works elsewhere, he still helps Santiago to carry his empty skiff (boat) at the end of each day. Santiago's face and hands are scarred fro...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Summary
The Old Man and the Sea Short Summary
Detailed Summary
Day One
Santiago, an old fisherman, has gone 84 days without catching a fish. For the first 40 days, a boy named Manolin worked with him. But Manolin's parents made him leave Santiago. They made Manolin work on a “luckier” boat. Even though Manolin now works elsewhere, he still helps Santiago to carry his empty skiff (boat) at the end of each day. Santiago's face and hands are sca...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Short Summary
The Old Man and the Sea Key Info
Key Facts
Full Title: The Old Man and the Sea
Author: Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
When Written: 1951
Where Written: Cuba
When Published: 1952
Literary Period: Modernism
Genre: Fiction (novella); Allegory
Setting: Late 1940s; a fishing village near Havana, Cuba, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Climax: When Santiago finally harpoons and kills the marlin; when Santiago fights...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Key Info
The Old Man and the Sea Characters
Characters
Santiago: From a small village near Havana, Cuba, Santiago is an old and impoverished fisherman. He has not caught a fish in a long time. Despite his old age and physical limitations, he shows remarkable perseverance and strength.
Manolin: Manolin is a young boy who loves and cares for the old man, Santiago. The boy used to fish with Santiago before his parents demanded he fish on a mo...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Characters
The Old Man and the Sea Themes
Themes
Resistance to Defeat: Santiago, an old fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish, embodies the struggle against defeat. Despite his hardships, Santiago never surrenders. He ventures farther into the ocean than ever before and battles the marlin for three days and nights. He endures immense physical pain and exhaustion. He fights off sharks even when the situation appears hopele...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Themes
The Old Man and the Sea Literary Device
Symbols
The Marlin: The marlin represents Santiago's inner struggle. The fish is not about strength but endurance and not giving up. By fighting the marlin, Santiago faces his own weaknesses. By fighting with the fish, he proves his courage and determination.
The Lions: Santiago dreams of lions from his youth. It symbolizes his lost strength, pride, and vitality. The lions remind him of his younge...
Expand The Old Man and the Sea Literary Device
Notes
Explore 17 detailed notes related to The Old Man and the Sea. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.