1) “Anyone can be a fisherman in May.” Page 18
Santiago is a fisherman living in poverty, yet he never complains about his situation. He remains stoic, hardworking, and proud. This pride will later play a significant role in his struggle with the fish. This early quote reveals much about Santiago and Hemingway’s concept of the code hero. Despite his poverty, Santiago refuses to borrow, as he believes it leads to begging. However, he gratefully accepts the food that the boy, Manolin, brings him and plans to thank the bar owner who provided it. At this point, Santiago hasn’t caught any fish in eighty-four days, and Manolin’s parents have made him find work on another boat. Santiago believes eighty-five to be a lucky number and asks Manolin to find a lottery ticket with that number.

In essence, Santiago is a complex character who values both hard work and luck. When he says, “Anyone can be a fisherman in May,” he acknowledges both the effort and the beauty of fishing. While fish are easier to catch in mild weather, in September, when fishing is more challenging, the fish are of higher quality and require a greater struggle. Santiago disdains the easy way and explains his persistence despite his extended bad luck and poverty. Like the traditional code hero, he adheres to his principles even in tough times.

2) “I would like to take the great DiMaggio fishing.” Page 22
Joe DiMaggio, one of the most renowned American baseball players, played for the Yankees and is idolized by Santiago. Santiago and Manolin discuss American baseball extensively, and due to DiMaggio’s bone spurs, Santiago feels a connection with him, believing DiMaggio “makes the difference.” He also notes that DiMaggio’s father was a fisherman, suggesting that the baseball player “would understand.” This implies that DiMaggio would grasp not only the lifestyle but also the underlying meaning and principles.

DiMaggio symbolizes the code hero as well. Despite his injuries, he continued to strive for victory while maintaining his courage, overcoming adversity to succeed. Santiago holds himself to DiMaggio’s standards, initially wanting to fish with him because he sees DiMaggio as a kindred spirit. Later, during his struggle with the marlin, Santiago uses DiMaggio as inspiration to persevere, aiming to “be worthy of the great DiMaggio.”

3) “He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy.” Page 25
This passage appears before Santiago sets out to fish. Santiago sleeps and dreams of Africa from his boyhood and the lions frolicking on the beaches “so white they hurt your eyes.” The dream is intriguing, not just for its content, but also for what Hemingway notes Santiago no longer dreams about: storms, his wife, fish, and Manolin. These elements are more “realistic,” representing the pivotal parts and concerns of his life. Santiago’s wife is gone, and her picture evokes sadness, so his dreams aren’t about past joys or achievements. So, what do playful lions signify?

There are numerous interpretations of Santiago’s lions. Clearly, lions are linked with bravery, and just as Santiago identifies with the great Joe DiMaggio, he connects with the lions' strength and courage. However, these lions are playing like young cats, so the image isn’t only from his youth but also embodies the freedom of childhood, when he was still awed by life’s challenges. The lions and the dazzlingly white beach symbolize how the harsh reality of violence can be subdued and become playful, but only in the idealized world of Santiago’s dreams.

4) “Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.” Page 54
Santiago struggles fiercely for the gigantic fish he has hooked. Having not caught a fish in a long time, he ventured farther out than usual, and after hooking the marlin, it dragged him even further. The fish fights desperately for its life, and as it swims, Santiago clings to the line, fearing the fish will escape, despite the line cutting his hands and cramping his back. On the second day of this battle between man and fish, Santiago says these words, demonstrating his admiration for the fish’s strength and bravery, but acknowledging that it is now a fight to the death, and he intends to prevail.

This quotation encapsulates not only Santiago’s philosophy but also Hemingway’s perspective on life. Life is brutal and violent, yet there is beauty in it, and even love between adversaries. Like the lions and Joe DiMaggio, Santiago appreciates and identifies with the marlin and its will to survive. While he initially thinks about the money the fish will bring, it also becomes a duel of wills, and Santiago realizes he must defeat this powerful creature.

5) “But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Page 103
After finally catching the marlin, Santiago ties the fish to his boat to bring it back to shore. This, however, attracts sharks. One shark takes a forty-pound chunk out of the marlin before Santiago manages to kill it. He realizes the blood will lure more sharks, and there's nothing he can do about it since he no longer has his harpoon. Reflecting on his situation, he regrets hooking the fish in the first place but then affirms that although he may be down, he is not out. He resolves to keep sailing home and handle the sharks as best he can.

Being destroyed is different from being defeated, and this distinction is crucial to a man of Santiago’s pride and resilience. For example, Santiago kills the marlin, thus destroying it, but its spirit remains undefeated. By asserting that a man cannot be defeated, Santiago implies that man, or at least Hemingway’s ideal man, will not succumb, no matter how dire the situation. Acknowledging the inevitability of the sharks, Santiago, as an indomitable man, fashions a crude weapon and draws inspiration from Joe DiMaggio, who also embodies an undefeated spirit, to maintain his hope.