Essay On Santiago's Isolation In The Old Man And The Sea

Santiago’s Isolation in The Old Man and the Sea

Santiago’s isolation displays how man’s true character is tested when alone. A substantial amount of the novel, The Old Man and the Sea, is the main character, Santiago, alone on a skiff fishing for a great marlin. Ernest Hemming describes Santiago’s physical attributes as being very old, except for his eyes. His eyes are, “the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated” (10). The “fire” in his eyes is what keeps him going even through his toughest trials while on the skiff.

Indeed, one of the most difficult trials Santiago has to face is the sharks. They tear away and demolish his prized marlin. In addition, the sharks came one after another, continuously until there was essentially nothing left. The first shark came shortly after Santiago caught the marlin, “The shark was not an accident. He had come from deep down in the water as the dark cloud of blood had settled and dispersed in the mile deep sea” (100). This exhibits how regardless

of your success, the sharks will eventually get to you. Likewise, the shark comes after Santiago’s finest catch–the marlin–and began to tear it apart. However, Santiago does not let the shark get away with that easily. His pride keeps him strong and pushes him to keep fighting.
Santiago’s pride is what keeps his perseverance while being isolation on the skiff.

There are many points during Santiago’s journey where he thinks it would be easier to give up, or that he might not be able to cope with pain. But his pride keeps him strong and determined to keep going. Santiago always refuses to be defeated, “I could just drift, he thought, and sleep and put a bight of line around my toe to wake me. But today is eighty-five days and I should fish the day well” (54). It has already been eighty-four days without the catch of one fish, but Santiago is still determined to catch the marlin. Furthermore, he has to undergo aches and pains, especially from his hands, and specifically here his left hand, “‘What kind of hand is that,’ he said. ‘Cramp then if you want. Make yourself into a claw. It will do you no good” (58). Santiago refuses to let the pain stop him from his current task. Even with his pride, Santiago is never arrogant and keeps his

humility.
Santiago rather uses his skill and logic to catch the marlin that pure strength. Near the beginning of the novel Santiago is speaking to Manolin about turtling and how one man went nearly blind doing it but Santiago’s eyes are still very good. “‘I am a strange old man.’ ‘But are you strong enough now for a truly big fish?’ ‘I think so. And there are many tricks’” (14). Manolin is impressed by how good Santiago’s eyes are for his old age but Santiago remains humble about it. Additionally, he always stays modest in what he does, and reminds himself of what he must do and not do, “Think of what you are doing. You must do nothing stupid” (48). For example, he keeps himself focused on his duty –which is to catch the marlin– when he is sidetracked when he is thinking about other things.