The Old Man and the Sea Group

Question:

sorcha
sorcha
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Using specific references to the novel, support this statement, describing how how Santiago demonstrates his compassionate traits.

I relly need this urgently please. From the old amn and the sea by Ernest hemingway

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Posted by sorcha on Sunday October 25, 2009 at 11:24 PM and tagged with compassion, ernest hemingway, literature, novel, old man and the sea, references.

Answers:


  1. kimfuji Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Hemingway portrayed Santiago's compassion by the way he sees the ocean. He says on page 30, "But the old man always thought of her as feminine and as something that gave or withheld great favors, and if she did wild or wicked things it was because she could not help them. The moon affects her as it does a woman, he thought."He is showing his love for the ocean.

    Another example is on page 54 where Santiago is talking to the fish. He says, "Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends." He is sort of apologizing to the fish for having to kill him.

    In addition on page 92, he shows how much respect and compassion he has toward the fish. He says, "You are killing me, fish, the old man thought. But you have a right to. Never have I seen a greater, or more beautiful, or a calmer or more noble thing than you, brother. Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who."

    In short, the way he talks to the sea and to the fish shows that he sees them in a human way.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/old-man-and-the-sea

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    Posted by kimfuji on Sunday October 25, 2009 at 11:56 PM