Published in 1952, The Old Man and the Sea is an incredible tale of an ageing fisherman who forms a special bond with a fish on his hook. Far out in the sea, he catches a giant marlin after an exhausting struggle.
But, will he be able to take it to the shore in the presence of circling sharks? Will the old man’s mental resilience and experience be enough to save his fish? Let’s dive into this engrossing tale to find out:
Who is Santiago?
Santiago is an old fisherman who is going through a rough patch of time. He is considered a ‘salao’ (unlucky) in the community for he has gone 84 days without catching a fish. His best friend is a child named Manolin who was trained by him. However, Manolin’s family force him to fish with other, ‘lucky’ fishermen.
Manolin brings Santiago food and coffee, and they talk about everything from fishing to baseball. Deep down, Santiago feels the boy’s presence is going to be helpful, but he still urges him to follow his parents’ advice.
What happens on the 85th day?
On the 85th day, Santiago rows far out into the Gulf Streams. In the morning, he catches a small albacore. However, by the end of the day, he has a giant marlin on the hook. The old man is delighted, but his job is far from over. The fish is too heavy to manoeuvre, and it is so powerful that it actually tows the skiff farther from the shore.
On one occasion, the marlin jumps out of the water, and Santiago is amazed at the magnificence of the fish he has caught. Even though the fish is testing the last bit of strength in his body, Santiago can’t stop praising it. He has great reverence in his heart for the fish.
What does Santiago think about while on the boat?
Santiago imagines a lot of things. He thinks about his past days as a champion angler known for his immense strength. Now, his state has changed, but he must carry on, he tells himself.
There is one thing that keeps him thinking more than anything else. Nature. Santiago calls the sea ‘la mar’ (Spanish Feminine). He thinks the moon has a beautiful impact on the sea exactly like it has an impact on women. From time to time, he calls out to Manolin as well. m
How does Santiago control the fish?
The marlin is too strong to control. However, on the third day, while the marlin circles, Santiago reels it in, harpoons it, and lashes it to the boat.
What happens with the marlin in the end?
Santiago starts rowing the boat towards the shore, but the trail of the marlin’s blood attracts one shark after another. The old man tries his best and kills many sharks along the way. But by the time he reaches the shore, all that’s left of the marlin is its skeleton.
What becomes of Santiago?
Santiago ties the skiff to the shore and goes to sleep in his shack. Noticing Santiago’s state, Manolin comes to tears. The marks of Santiago’s incredible struggle are printed all over his body.
Manolin later brings him coffee and sits by his side until he wakes up. Manolin tells Santiago that he will always accompany him. Some tourists take the marlin’s skeleton to be that of a shark.
What do you think about this incredible tale of resilience and the power of the human spirit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: