The Old Man and the Sea

Santiago, the main character of the novel The Old Man and the Sea is to be represented to some as a "Christ" figure or a "hero". From his references to the great DiMaggio to the boat or "skiff" that he uses is said to be symbols relating to Christ's passage and journey throughout his life. Santiago had to overcome many dilemmas and inspired many with his hope, strength, will power, and his determination. Yes, Santiago is a "hero", some may even go as far to say that he resembles a religious character such as "Christ". He fought and exerted himself to the fullest extent to teach people a lesson about defeat, and about the power and strength a person could have. Others believe that his main importance was to be the one who influences the young boy name Manolin, and to teach him so he can carry on his legacy. Many people have their own point of view on this; and the book, this is mine.

Ernest Hemingway, the author of the book, is believed to have based the plot of The Old Man and the Sea on an earlier story that he published and wrote about him called " On the Blue Water: a Gulf Stream Letter," in the April, 1936 issue of Esquire magazine (Cummings, sec. 3). The sort story tells of a man's that overcomes the odds, and to everyone's disbelief he rises to the top. In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago fought and exerted himself to the full extent, near death, to teach people a lesson about defeat, and the power and strength a person could have. Santiago, translates to St. James in English, and is said by Hemingway to be compared to

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Christ in his struggle to redeem fallen man ( Cummings, sec.11). Many people doubted Christ as well as Santiago, and they overcame many obstacles and influenced many people. Santiago's obstacle was the fact that he was weighted down with the "sin" of 84 days of failure at sea not catching a single thing. He undergoes three days at sea with starvation, extreme thirst and dehydration, deep cuts on his hands, and serious pain in his back. But he continues on to get the Marlin home. Through the struggle of catching the Marlin, and the patience for the right moment to kill it are both the things Christ had to do throughout his journey of life (Slefex, pg. 98). Although the importance of Santiago winning or losing the battle is not as important then waging a good and honorable fight with the fish. Santiago's perseverance o overcome the overwhelming odds only became stronger as the Marlin tied to the side of his boat "skiff" is attacked by a "mob" of sharks. He tries to fight them of with one of the two weapons he has, a harpoon hat he lost which symbolized his temporary loss of strength,