Earnest Hemingway is a prolific literary writer of his time infuses a multitude of symbolic elements into one of his most well known novels, The Old Man and The Sea. In which developing the many themes throughout the story. The Old Man and the Sea is rich in meaning. Virtually every element operates on two levels, revealing a deeper symbolic meaning beneath its literal function.
The Marlin
Magnificent and glorious, the marlin symbolizes the ideal opponent. In a world in which “everything kills everything else in some way,” Santiago feels genuinely lucky to find himself matched against a creature that brings out the best in him: his strength, courage, love, and respect. The marlin symbolizes the majesty of nature. With its sheer size, strength, and tenacity as evidenced in its pulling Santiago's skiff for several days, the marlin is a formidable opponent. Unlike other fish, this marlin does not fight the hook but instead uses it to fight the old man. The marlin seems successful at first, as the old man must hold on to the fishing line so hard he is injured in the process. Watching the marlin put up so strong a fight, the old man feels more and more akin to this creature and begins to draw parallels. Although they seem to be mortal enemies in the universal battle between predator and prey, Santiago realizes in the end they are brothers because they are in this fight for the same reason: to survive.
Although both the marlin and the old man are part of the natural order of life, locked in the struggle between predator and prey, perseverance distinguishes the two. To triumph in his struggle against the marlin, the old man must dig deep within himself to overcome not only the marlin's strength but his own limitations: age, exhaustion, pain, hunger, and thirst. The battle between the two is not merely the attempt of a fisherman trying to reel in his catch and go home. This particular marlin brings out the best in Santiago by pushing him to his limits. The battle becomes a symbol of the constant struggle of an individual for survival within nature, a struggle won only by one's willingness to go beyond what seems humanly possible.
The marlin also can represent Hemingway's writing and career. In this sense, it's the writing Hemingway has worked on for his entire life that he tries to hold onto.
Sharks
Symbolizing the brute force of destruction, the sharks are mindless creatures following their base instincts: the bloodlust that lures them to their prey. Yet their very bloodlust also lures them to their death. As they take bites out of the marlin in a feeding frenzy, they come close enough to the skiff for Santiago to kill them. What sustains them kills them. Neither their lives nor their deaths serve any purpose. Defeating them with sheer willpower and innovation, Santiago not only survives himself but also defends the magnificent marlin. He brings home the skeleton and thus captures the creature's majesty and glory.
In a different interpretation, the sharks also symbolize all the critics Hemingway faced in real life. Hemingway hadn't produced much writing publicly in many years, and his most recent publication had received a negative reception. This novella seems to liken those critics to sharks who circle and pounce.
Manolin
Manolin, the young boy who loves, admires, and cares for the old man, symbolizes hope and the future. He is Santiago's only friend and companion; his help, literally, sustains the old man. Manolin is there every night helping pack up Santiago's gear and providing food to make sure the old man won't starve. Furthermore, he is the old man's apprentice. Although at the beginning of the story he fishes on another boat, Manolin has learned everything he knows from Santiago. Promising to fix the battered skiff and to return to fishing with the old man, Manolin offers the help the old man needs to keep going. Manolin believes in the old man and therefore will carry on his legacy and bear witness to his achievement.
The Lions on the Beach
Santiago dreams his pleasant dream of the lions at play on the beaches of Africa three times. The first time is the night before he departs on his three-day fishing expedition, the second occurs when he sleeps on the boat for a few hours in the middle of his struggle with the marlin, and the third takes place at the very end of the book. In fact, the sober promise of the triumph and regeneration with which the novella closes is supported by the final image of the lions. Because Santiago associates the lions with his youth, the dream suggests the circular nature of life. Additionally, because Santiago imagines the lions, fierce predators, playing, his dream suggests a harmony between the opposing forces—life and death, love and hate, destruction and regeneration—of nature.
The Sea
According to Hemingway, man was most able to prove himself worthy in isolation. The sea, in the novel, represents the Universe and Santiago’s isolation in the Universe. It is at sea, with no help and no recognition, that Santiago faces his ultimate challenge. The novel, in this regard, is an example of Naturalism in Literature.
Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio is a character in the Old Man and the Sea, and although he doesn't directly interact with the other characters, he still plays a big role. He represents dedication, and human spirit that never dies. Santiago and Manolin look up to Joe as an inspiration, so he is used as a symbol of success
The Marlin
Magnificent and glorious, the marlin symbolizes the ideal opponent. In a world in which “everything kills everything else in some way,” Santiago feels genuinely lucky to find himself matched against a creature that brings out the best in him: his strength, courage, love, and respect. The marlin symbolizes the majesty of nature. With its sheer size, strength, and tenacity as evidenced in its pulling Santiago's skiff for several days, the marlin is a formidable opponent. Unlike other fish, this marlin does not fight the hook but instead uses it to fight the old man. The marlin seems successful at first, as the old man must hold on to the fishing line so hard he is injured in the process. Watching the marlin put up so strong a fight, the old man feels more and more akin to this creature and begins to draw parallels. Although they seem to be mortal enemies in the universal battle between predator and prey, Santiago realizes in the end they are brothers because they are in this fight for the same reason: to survive.
Although both the marlin and the old man are part of the natural order of life, locked in the struggle between predator and prey, perseverance distinguishes the two. To triumph in his struggle against the marlin, the old man must dig deep within himself to overcome not only the marlin's strength but his own limitations: age, exhaustion, pain, hunger, and thirst. The battle between the two is not merely the attempt of a fisherman trying to reel in his catch and go home. This particular marlin brings out the best in Santiago by pushing him to his limits. The battle becomes a symbol of the constant struggle of an individual for survival within nature, a struggle won only by one's willingness to go beyond what seems humanly possible.
The marlin also can represent Hemingway's writing and career. In this sense, it's the writing Hemingway has worked on for his entire life that he tries to hold onto.
Sharks
Symbolizing the brute force of destruction, the sharks are mindless creatures following their base instincts: the bloodlust that lures them to their prey. Yet their very bloodlust also lures them to their death. As they take bites out of the marlin in a feeding frenzy, they come close enough to the skiff for Santiago to kill them. What sustains them kills them. Neither their lives nor their deaths serve any purpose. Defeating them with sheer willpower and innovation, Santiago not only survives himself but also defends the magnificent marlin. He brings home the skeleton and thus captures the creature's majesty and glory.
In a different interpretation, the sharks also symbolize all the critics Hemingway faced in real life. Hemingway hadn't produced much writing publicly in many years, and his most recent publication had received a negative reception. This novella seems to liken those critics to sharks who circle and pounce.
Manolin
Manolin, the young boy who loves, admires, and cares for the old man, symbolizes hope and the future. He is Santiago's only friend and companion; his help, literally, sustains the old man. Manolin is there every night helping pack up Santiago's gear and providing food to make sure the old man won't starve. Furthermore, he is the old man's apprentice. Although at the beginning of the story he fishes on another boat, Manolin has learned everything he knows from Santiago. Promising to fix the battered skiff and to return to fishing with the old man, Manolin offers the help the old man needs to keep going. Manolin believes in the old man and therefore will carry on his legacy and bear witness to his achievement.
The Lions on the Beach
Santiago dreams his pleasant dream of the lions at play on the beaches of Africa three times. The first time is the night before he departs on his three-day fishing expedition, the second occurs when he sleeps on the boat for a few hours in the middle of his struggle with the marlin, and the third takes place at the very end of the book. In fact, the sober promise of the triumph and regeneration with which the novella closes is supported by the final image of the lions. Because Santiago associates the lions with his youth, the dream suggests the circular nature of life. Additionally, because Santiago imagines the lions, fierce predators, playing, his dream suggests a harmony between the opposing forces—life and death, love and hate, destruction and regeneration—of nature.
The Sea
According to Hemingway, man was most able to prove himself worthy in isolation. The sea, in the novel, represents the Universe and Santiago’s isolation in the Universe. It is at sea, with no help and no recognition, that Santiago faces his ultimate challenge. The novel, in this regard, is an example of Naturalism in Literature.
Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio is a character in the Old Man and the Sea, and although he doesn't directly interact with the other characters, he still plays a big role. He represents dedication, and human spirit that never dies. Santiago and Manolin look up to Joe as an inspiration, so he is used as a symbol of success
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