The Old Man Sea in the Sea - Ernest Hemingway

Thesis Statement

The Old Man and the Sea is the story of an epic struggle between an old man and a big fish.

Introduction

Early on, Ernest Hemingway built his literary reputation by weaving tales of stoic protagonists that take part in American historical events. Whether it be The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, or For Whom the Bell Tolls, most of his novels were popular with public and admired by the critics due to their connection with the American culture of the time. In his later novel, The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway steps away from his past patterns and spins a tale of a struggling Cuban fisherman that battles a gargantuan fish. Initially popular with the public and critics, the book later felt the brunt of mixed reviews due to Hemingway's new fictional style. It could be assumed that the overwhelming popularity of The Old Man and the Sea and the fact that it won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for fiction makes it a shoe-in for the title of “Classic,” and thus deserves to be part of the American cannon. Hemingway himself once said, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain; Huckleberry Finn.” Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a canonized model for the future writers of America, and what is about? The journey of two boys, one white and one a slave, escaping to freedom up the Mississippi River, and it could not be more of an American story. To be involved in the canon, a book must have an innovative idea, have a conflict that the American people can relate to, be written brilliantly, and withstand the test of time. In The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway fulfills all of these guidelines and thus creates an integral part of the canon. (Hemingway: 105)

Synopsis

Santiago is the very old Cuban fisherman whose been unable to catch a fish for eighty four days. Santiago has an apprentice called Manolin. Manolin adores the old man but his parents tell him he must stop fishing with Santiago because he is not catching any fish or making any money.

Santiago is convinced one day he will begin to catch fish again and that he is just going through an unlucky time but his luck will change. Manolin takes the old man food and baitfish to help him to keep fishing.

Hemingway's story tells of the day that Santiago takes his skiff (boat) out much farther into the sea than usual, thinking if he goes into deeper waters he will catch a fish. Santiago ventures far into the Gulf Stream. He prepares his lines and drops them. At noon, a big fish, which Santiago knows to be a Marlin because he's a very knowledgeable and experienced fisherman, takes the bait at 100 fathoms. The old man expertly hooks the fish, but cannot pull it in. Instead, the fish begins to pull the boat. The old man, Santiago is unable to simply tie the ...