Discover how Santiago, the protagonist in Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and The Sea’, grapples with relentless internal and external conflicts against nature
The essential conflicts in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” encompass both internal and external battles. Internally, Santiago, the protagonist, wrestles with his waning strength, his identity as a fisherman, and his pride. Externally, he battles the forces of nature, particularly his epic struggle with the marlin, and competes against societal expectations and loneliness. These conflicts are interwoven, driving Santiago’s journey and ultimate triumph, despite outward defeat.
Internal Conflicts
The story of Ernest Hemingway’s novella “The Old Man and the Sea” focuses on Santiago, an aged Cuban fisherman. His physical decline, especially his weakening strength, is an important internal conflict present in the narrative, affecting both his life and his profession. The initial scenes portray Santiago as a man past his prime, faced with the discomforts of old age. He has been on an unlucky 84-day streak, unable to catch a fish, thus earning himself the label of “salao,” which signifies extreme bad luck.
For instance, many of the younger fishermen think of Santiago as salao, and are quick to judge him due to his older age and perceived decreasing capabilities. However, Santiago is aware of his physical limitations but continuously strives not to succumb to them. He remains hopeful, even after 84 days without catching a fish – a chronic run of bad luck that would cause many younger, robust fishermen to despair. The notion of age and its association with demise is constantly subverted through Santiago’s character. Despite being physically frail, he manages to hook onto a giant marlin, showcasing an inner resolve that contrasts visibly with his physical state.
| Aging | Examples from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Weakening Strength | Santiago’s struggle to keep holding onto the marlin’s line, despite bleeding hands and body weakness. |
| Endurance | Santiago’s refusal to let go of the line, viewing it as a test of his strength. |
| Defiance against Aging | Despite his advanced age, Santiago battles against the marlin, staying with the fight for three days and nights. |
Santiago’s Identity as a Fisherman
Another primary internal conflict evident in “The Old Man and the Sea” is Santiago’s grappling with his self-identity, particularly his identity as a fisherman. His professional dedication, despite the lack of success, is one of the foundational aspects of his character. Having labored as a fisherman for most of his life, Santiago’s identity is significantly tied to his profession.
However, the absence of a catch for 84 days shakes his confidence and puts his identity to the test. Other fishermen his age have relinquished their roles, yet he clings adamantly to his, driven by the belief that his destiny is intertwined with the sea. When he hooks the marlin, his joy stems not only from a potential end to the unlucky streak but, more importantly, as a validation of his identity as a fisherman.
| Challenges to Identity | Examples from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Professional Dedication | Santiago’s perseverance and determination to catch a fish even after 84 consecutive unsuccessful days. |
| Affirmation of Identity | The large marlin that Santiago hooks and fights symbolizes his confirmation as a fisherman. |
The Role of Pride in Santiago’s Internal Conflict
Santiago’s pride seems to serve both as a self-motivating force and a source of inner turmoil in “The Old Man and the Sea”. This influence of pride, especially in situations where he has complete control over his actions, ties into the pride he feels for his profession. A crucial dimension of his personality revolves around his self-perceived role as a fisherman – one that he cannot betray.
Santiago’s pride forbids him from acknowledging his persistent misfortune. He displays remorse at having risked the marlin, but his pride simultaneously ensures that he does not regret his decisions. The juxtaposition of pride and regret highlights an inner struggle of cognizance versus refusal to acknowledge the consequences of pride.
| Pride | Examples from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Motivating Force | Santiago’s pride fuels his determination to battle exhaustion and pain while wrestling the marlin. |
| Source of Inner Turmoil | Santiago’s guilt and remorse for killing the magnificent creature while being proud of catching it represent an ongoing internal conflict within him. |
These three internal conflicts contribute to the depth of Santiago’s character and are crucial to understanding his actions and motivations within the narrative. They simultaneously highlight his humanity and portray the complexity of self-identity and existential introspection.
External Conflicts
1. Detailed Description of the Struggle: In Ernest Hemingway’s novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” the external conflict between Santiago, the old Cuban fisherman, and the marlin manifests as a primal battle of strength, endurance, and will. On one level the struggle is a physical duel, exemplified by days of tension and pain as Santiago fights to reel in the giant marlin.
Yet, this conflict also maps onto larger themes in the novel, such as man versus nature, endurance amidst struggle, and the will to conquer despite the odds. Santiago’s relentless pursuit of the marlin, despite the toll it takes on his aging body, defines the very essence of Santiago’s character as a determined and relentless fisherman.
| Event | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Santiago hooks the marlin | It represents hope and the possibility of breaking his unlucky streak |
| Struggle with the marlin | It represents Santiago’s enduring spirit and struggle against nature |
| Losing the marlin to the sharks | Symbolizes the ultimate defeat and the harsh reality of nature |
2. Analysis of Broader Confrontation With the Natural World: Beyond Santiago’s fight with the marlin, his conflict with nature is largely evident throughout the story. The Old Man and the Sea experiences defeats at the hands of nature, symbolized by the relentless sharks that steal his triumphant catch, and his struggle to navigate the vast sea. Coupled with Santiago’s internal conflicts, this storyline demonstrates his struggle against relentless external forces, while highlighting his indomitable spirit.
Santiago’s Fight With the Sharks
1. Discussion of the Sharks as Symbols: The sharks and Santiago’s ensuing battle with them illustrate the cruel, unforgiving aspects of nature and life. The sharks serve to represent opportunistic forces that devour Santiago’s hard-earned reward, the marlin, signifying lost opportunity and the harsh realities of life. Santiago’s despising of the sharks is more than their devouring of the marlin, it lies within their lack of nobility, a trait he cherishes, as they live off the struggles and efforts of others.
| Sharks | Significance |
|---|---|
| First shark attack | Symbolizes the onset of defeat and the loss of triumph |
| Repeated shark attacks | Represents relentless obstacles and challenges in life |
| Santiago’s defiance against sharks | Depicts courage and perseverance in face of adversity |
2. Examples From the Novel: Hemingway provides vivid descriptions of the Santiago fighting with the sharks, desperately trying to fend them off from feeding on his marlin. Despite the odds and his exhausting struggle with the marlin, he does not give up. His bravery in face of defeat and his determination to fight is symbolic of Santiago’s character and the essence of his enduring spirit.
Santiago and Societal Expectations
1. Examination of Santiago’s Alienation and Societal Expectations: In addition to his battle with the marlin and sharks, Santiago’s struggle extends to societal expectations and understanding. Viewed as old and unlucky by the other fishermen in the village, Santiago’s ability and worthiness is overlooked and discredited, making him an object of pity. Being labeled as “salao,” or the worst form of unluckiness, he is isolated and left alone, exacerbating his internal struggle with loneliness.
2. Examples Illustrating This Conflict in the Novel: This societal alienation can be seen when Manolin, Santiago’s young friend, is forbidden by his parents from accompanying Santiago due to his long streak of ‘unlucky’ 84 days without a catch. This separation deepens Santiago’s loneliness and reinforces the community’s perception of him as a failure. Despite these external forces, Santiago’s resilience shines through, demonstrating his ability to transcend societal expectations and regain his personal dignity.
Internal Conflicts
Santiago’s struggle with Aging and Weakening Strength
Ernest Hemingway’s short story, The Old Man and the Sea centers on Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman past his prime and battling aging and declining strength. Santiago is often described as Salao, often taken to imply an unlucky streak amplified by his struggle to land a catch in eighty-four days. To Santiago, this unfortunate streak isn’t simply a matter of luck but also reflects his physical and emotional state. Both elements intertwine and meld into a complex internal conflict.
| Conflict | Example from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Santiago’s internal struggle with Aging | “But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the pain of the bone spur in his heel.” |
| Santiago’s struggle with declining strength | “He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and the lions on the beach.” |
Santiago’s Identity as a Fisherman
The heart of Santiago’s internal conflict in Ernest Hemingway’s novella is his identity as a fisherman. Despite the younger fishermen mocking him for his failing strength and lack of a catch, Santiago firmly identifies as a fisherman. He views himself in the light of past triumphs and tragedies, and not in his current state of old and unlucky, ensuring that his internal and external struggle interconnect. However, despite his unwavering determination and natural skill, circumstances lead his catch to be futile for a stretch of eighty-four days
| Conflict | Example from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Santiago’s internal struggle with Identity | “Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.” |
| Challenges to Santiago’s identity | “‘He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.’ |
The Role of Pride in Santiago’s Internal Conflict
Pride serves a dual role for Santiago. On one hand, it gives him a sense of dignity and pushes him to fight against adversity. On the other hand, it serves as a source of torment, particularly when he doesn’t live up to his own expectations. He struggles internally with the old age that is creeping upon him, yet finds the strength inside to continue pursuing his passion. His pride inspires him to strive for success, regardless of his age or the number of days without catching a fish. His pride stems from his identity as a skilled fisherman, strengthening his resolve to succeed. However, when the great fish he spent days to catch is devoured by sharks, his pride instead feels like a burden.
| Conflict | Example from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Santiago’s internal struggle with Pride | “It is silly not to hope, he thought. Besides I believe it is a sin.” |
| Conflict between Santiago’s Pride and Reality | “I may not be as strong as I think…But I know many tricks and I have resolution.” |
Conclusion
The Significance of Conflicts in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and The Sea”
A recapitulation of the key aspects of Ernest Hemingway’s classic “The Old Man and The Sea” uncovers the significance of both internal and external conflicts that pervade the narrative. Hemingway’s protagonist, the old Cuban fisherman Santiago, navigates through relentless battles, each meticulously depicted as interlaced layers of struggle. Santiago’s attitude seems to evolve along with greater understanding of his place against the vast natural world, symbolized by the marlin and sharks, as well as his interactions with societal expectations and loneliness.
| Key Conflict | Impact on Santiago |
|---|---|
| Old age creeping in and physical weakness | Forces Santiago to confront his diminishing strength while catching a fish; provides a backdrop for his internal struggles. |
| Personal pride and professional identity as a fisherman | Functions as a double-edged sword, motivating Santiago, but causing internal turmoil, especially when he returns to shore with only the skeleton of the fish being evidence of his struggle. |
| Societal expectations and perceived unluckiness (salao) | Fuels Santiago’s battle against isolation and displays his resilience with 84 days without catching a fish; the old fisherman prefers to live happily in his dreams, rather than succumbing to societal pressure or remorse. |
| Battles against the forces of nature | Encompasses Santiago’s external conflict, from his grapple with the great marlin to his defensive fight against sharks; Santiago’s attitude towards these struggles surfaces his perspective towards the invincible forces of nature and its consequential impact – physically and psychologically. |
Ernest Hemingway’s novel lends itself to multiple interpretations, whether considered as an allegory for human endurance or a man-versus-nature narrative. By delving into the intricate details of these conflicts, we can engage in a deeper analysis of how Santiago’s internal and external struggle interconnect and shape his character. It is through these very struggles that Hemingway uses Santiago to demonstrate the sheer power of human spirit and resilience.
Through the sheer grit and determination of Santiago, “The Old Man and The Sea” inspires future generations to withstand their battles, regardless of past triumphs and tragedies. Whether it’s a fisherman named Santiago or any individual facing life’s adversities, the enduring message remains the same- victory lies not in the result, but in the fight.
Marta Savova is a journalist, health, technolgy and science writer. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she has published numerous research papers and articles and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with others. He is a regular contributor to several media.
