Santiago's Code of Behavior

Santiago's Code of Behavior Exemplifying Dignity Belongs to the

Conquered.

Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest American writers of all time, is

known to write of his main characters having a "code of behavior." The

two main parts of this 'code' are to never give up, and to be humble

and respectful of others. One of Hemingway's novels, The Old Man and

the Sea, consists of an old Cuban fisherman named Santiago going out

to sea, catching a gigantic thirty-foot marlin, but eventually losing

it to the sharks. Santiago follows the Hemingway "code of behavior,"

therefore emphasizing and supporting the theme, "Dignity belongs to

the conquered."

Santiago's respectfulness is an example of Hemingway's "code of

behavior." For instance, during the second day of his tenure with the

marlin, Santiago thinks to himself, "How many people will he (the

marlin) feed…are they worthy to eat him…? No, of course not. There is

no one worthy of eating him from…his behaviour…his great dignity"

(Hemingway, 75). Although he is attempting to kill the marlin, it is

obvious from the way Santiago speaks that he still has a lot of

admiration for the fish. This pride in one's task but respect of the

opponent is one of the primary components of Hemingway's "code of

behavior." Furthermore, when Santiago has used up all of his weapons

in attempts to defeat the sharks, he says in his mind, "Now it is

over. They will probably hit me again. But what can a man do….without

a weapon?" (117). Santiago holds the sharks' power in high regard

because he believes that without his weapons, their strength is too

much for him to handle. The respect for the enemy that Santiago

possesses is a major part of the "code of behavior" of Ernest

Hem...

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...ago clubs the second pack of

shovel-nosed sharks that come and eat his marlin's meat, Santiago

thinks to himself, "…I have hurt them both badly and neither one can

feel very good" (114). The only reason Santiago is still out at sea

fighting the sharks is because through his code of honor he refuses to

surrender until he has nothing left. Because he stays, the old

fisherman manages to get a little dignity knowing that he clubbed the

sharks and caused the enemy some pain. Hence, by following the "code

of behavior," Santiago keeps some poise despite being beaten by the

sharks.

In conclusion, Santiago is defeated at sea, but he also gains

something in the process. He is brotherly to his opponent, the marlin,

and respectful to his enemy, the sharks. Santiago's humility allows

for him to keep a great deal of pride regardless of his loss in the

Gulf Stream.