Santiago as Code Hero in The Old Man and the Sea

In Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago demonstrates the traits of the code hero. The Hemingway’s code hero covers the principal ideals of honor, courage, and endurance in a misfortune life. Throughout the novel, Santiago shows a contrast between opposite attitudes and values which associate his behavior with the guidelines of the code. In this case, the depiction of conflicting values, such as dignity despite humility, perseverance despite despair, and victory despite defeat are aspects that help to describe and understand the role of Santiago in the novel, and reflect the reason why this character is perfectly suited to the heroic conduct established by Hemingway.

The first argument to be addressed is how the values of dignity and humility are well connected in order to comply with the essence of honor in the code. The old man is presented from beginning to end as one who has reached a spiritual fulfillment. Undoubtedly, Santiago is a humble fisherman who believes in his work and discipline, performing what he was born for. He is determined and passionate about fishing. At the beginning, the author describes the precarious living conditions of the old man; however, something is very clear, he is a poor but dignified man. When Santiago states, “I think maybe I can too. But I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg.” (Hemingway 18). There is no doubt about his dignity despite of the circumstances. He does not want to ask for charity to others. In fact, he is confident that one day his great fish will come, and along with it the luck will return to smile at him once more. The humility of the old man is one of his outstanding attributes. Santiago is humble in spirit, and his way of life and thin...

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...n a victory and shows that he is a true hero.

Works Cited

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