The Old Man and the Sea blog 3

Like in every other work of literature, themes play a major role in The Old Man and the Sea.  Three of the most important themes demonstrated throughout this book include pride, honor, and perseverance.  Ernest Hemingway reveals all these qualities through his portrayal of Santiago and his struggle against the great marlin.  Pride was one of the main themes that Santiago continually expressed throughout the book.  In a sense this was his biggest character flaw which led him to stay with the marlin and not give up.  “’I’ll kill him though,’ he said.  ‘In all his greatness and his glory.’  Although it is unjust, he thought.  But I will show him what a man can do and what a man endures.”  (Hemingway 66).  This quote explains Santiago’s stubborn pride that will not let him give up until he is dead.  The old man’s pride was directly linked with his perseverance.  It was his pride that did not let him give up even when the sharks were destroying his greatest prize.  “Now they have beaten me, he thought.  I am too old to club sharks to death.  But I will try it as long as I have the oars and the short club and the tiller.” (Hemingway 112).  Santiago chose to persevere even when all hope was lost.  He did not end up saving the fish, but his perseverance and pride brought him the honor of catching the marlin.  The old man’s honor was the final theme that played a significant role in this book.  He had gained his honor from chasing the fish for three days and not giving up when it seemed hopeless.  By refusing to let the sharks take his fish without a challenge, he also proved his worth.  Through all three of these themes, Hemingway made Santiago into a tragic hero that overcame amazing feats, yet finished with only his honor in tack.  Ernest Hemingway has shown that human nature, when motivated enough, has the ability to overcome almost any challenge placed before it. 

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.