Old Man And The Sea :: essays research papers

In life, one will go through a number of stages in life. Infancy, Youth , Adulthood, and Old Age are all key stages. As one grows, they mature through these various stages. When one reaches old age, there is often a lot of doubt surrounding their lives. Serenity, and independence are often the two most questioned. These are some questions that Santiago has to ask himself as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the novel The Old Man And The Sea, Ernest Hemingway develops the concept of man coming to the realization that as he ages, his dependency on others will increase. The use of metaphor is key in showing how this is indeed true. The struggle with the Tiburon represents the mental struggle that Santiago is having with himself. The Tiburon is also used as a metaphor for Santiago’s life. The boy in the story parallels what Santiago’s life once was.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The struggle with the Tiburon represents the struggle that Santiago is having with himself. The constant struggle makes Santiago realize that he is no longer as young as he thinks he is and he must rely on the help of others. This is shown when Santiago is battling the Tiburon. “ ‘Bad news for you fish’, he said and shifted the line over the sacks that covered his shoulders. He was comfortable, but suffering, although he did not admit to the suffering at all. ‘ I am not religious...but I will say Ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish’... ‘Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death, Amen.’ Then he added. ‘ Blessed Virgin, pray for the death of this fish, wonderful as he is.’ '; [ Hemingway 64-65]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This quote shows that the old man is forced to break the rules of sanity and talks to himself as well as the fish which cannot hear him. The old man thinks to himself that the fish is a “ “ God fearing '; fish and by saying the Hail Mary, the fish will give in and let himself be caught. After saying the Hail Mary the Old Man tries to convince himself that his previously hurt hand is okay, when really it is not.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In another part of the story Santiago admits that he is losing his sanity. “He did not want to look at the fish. He knew that half of him had been destroyed '; [Hemingway 114].