The Old Man and the Sea Group

Question:

extoicredbone
extoicredbone
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What is the role of the old man as a fisherman in the novel "The Old Man and The Sea?"

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Posted by extoicredbone on Monday November 10, 2008 at 6:21 AM and tagged with fisherman, role, santiago, the old man and the sea, the old man in the sea.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    "Santiago is an old fisherman of undetermined age," and he was the protagonist of this story.  He was the main character.  He is symbolic for the concept that man should never give up on his dream.  He should fight to the end.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/omas/santiago

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Monday November 10, 2008 at 7:19 AM

  2. parkerlee
    parkerlee Teacher

    Santiago is the pivotal character in the story; it is around him that both the story line and the main themes are woven. Santiago is first pictured as an aging old man resisting and then defeated by nature. But at the end of the story he emerges as a heroic archetype as new definitions of "success" and "failure" are fomulated.

    I suggest you read the essay mentioned in the reference below as it gives greater insight into Santiago's role in both plot and theme.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/omas/new-dimension-hero-santiago-ol...

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    Posted by parkerlee on Monday November 10, 2008 at 7:26 AM