Compare And Contrast Santiago In The Old Man And The Sea

The Old Man and the Sea is an interesting story about a man who perseveres; is dedicated and determined to conquer a task, despite the odds; confident; a mentor and strong. Two characters in this story, Santiago and Manolin, are bound together by the love of fishing and the quest for the big catch. Manolin, in some ways, seems to worship Santiago who has shown him how to fish since he was a young boy of five years old. Santiago can be described as a conventionally heroic figure because of his identify with a higher power. He is not Christ, but, a picture of Christ in this novella. This is shown by the shame and embarrassment Santiago felt by almost having his boat destroyed and losing the great marlin; Christ was shamed and humiliated by those who jeered and mocked him; Santiago carried that weight, the weight of the mast which mirrors the cross of Christ which He bore on his shoulders. As Santiago lay down to sleep after the incredibly hard journey, he lay down with his bleeding hands wide open, just as Christ, who after his work was completed on earth, was nailed to the cross where his hands would bleed. He, Santiago, cries out for help and battles for three days, just as Christ is in the tomb three days. Another comparison: they were both fisherman. The comparison of the character Santiago and the life of Christ makes Santiago seem super human and above the average everyday hero. Santiago often reflects on his hero, Joe DiMaggio and is inspired with the baseball player’s ability to play with much pain. This empowered him to battle with the great marlin. "But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly, even with a bone spur in his heel.”

Santiago’s unfailing determi...

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... with the great marlin for three days. All of these examples would make some give up and go down in defeat. The destruction does not always have to be physical, ending in death, but crush one emotionally. Santiago showed he was strong and even though the things he faced did bring physical harm and great emotional stress, he refused to be defeated because he had a job to do and had to follow through: “you did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food, he thought. You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman.” Santiago’s self-pride is not enough for him as he is continuously being inspired by his hero, Joe DiMaggio: "I think the great DiMaggio would be proud of me today." Santiago’s character expresses man can and must rise up and fight things that seem impossible. Not always physically, but with an inner strength and determination.