Show Hemingway’s “The Old Man and The Sea” as an allegory of man’s struggle in life.
The Old Man and the Sea is a notable literary work by Ernest Hemingway. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Old Man and the Sea.
Answer
Show Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” as an allegory of man’s struggle in life. [2021] ✪✪✪
Or Is Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” an allegory of man’s struggle in life? Justify in your answer. [2019]
Or, Do you consider “The Old Man and the Sea” as an allegory of man’s struggle in life? [2017]
An allegory is a story that bears dual meaning. “The Old Man and the Sea” (1952) is an allegory of man’s struggle in life. On the surface, it is a story of Santiago, who is struggling in the Gulf Stream. But beneath this simple story lies a deep moral and spiritual truth. Hemingway (1899–1961) uses Santiago’s fight as a symbol of man’s eternal struggle in life.
Symbol of Human Struggle: Santiago’s lonely battle with the marlin represents man’s constant struggle against life’s challenges. For eighty-four days, he fails to catch a fish, but he never loses hope. He says,
“Fish, I’ll stay with you until I am dead.”
This line shows his unbreakable spirit. The fight with the marlin is more than a fishing adventure. It is a symbol of man’s fight against fate.
Christian Allegory: Santiago’s suffering reminds readers of the pain of Jesus Christ. His hands bleed, his back aches, and he carries his mast on his shoulder like Christ carried the cross. The narrator says,
“He felt the line with his right hand and noticed his hand was bleeding.”
His wounds are not only physical but also spiritual. He endures his pain silently and accepts it as his duty. His fall on the hill with the mast symbolizes Christ’s fall on the way to Calvary. Thus, Santiago becomes a Christ-like figure who bears pain with patience and love.
Moral Victory in Defeat: Hemingway shows that defeat in body is not defeat in spirit. When the sharks attack and destroy the marlin, Santiago feels deep loss but not shame. He says with pride,
“A man can be
Unlock this study guide now