Santiago notices that the marlin has slowed its pull on the line. He considers lashing the oars together across the stern to increase the boat’s drag. He leans forward, pressing against the wood of the skiff so that it takes much of the strain of the line from his back.

How was the old man able to hook the marlin at last?

It was after every long and hard struggle that the old man was able to bring the marlin close to his skiff and was successful in killing the marlin with his harpoon.. He then lashed the fish to the skiff from the tail, from the head and in the middle and started his homeward voyage.

What does Santiago hope the marlin does with the hook Why?

Also, if the hook makes too big a cut in the fish, the fish may get away from it. Santiago hopes that the fish will jump, because its air sacs would fill and prevent the fish from going too deep into the water, which would make it easier to pull out.

What does the skiff symbolize?

Santiago’s skiff is a vital tool and the means by which he makes a living. We also learned that it can be understood as a symbolic extension of his body, especially if we think of boats and human bodies as vessels that carry burdens.

How long did it take Santiago to catch the marlin?

For 2 days and nights he holds on to the line and on the 3rd day, (85+3= 88 days to catch the fish) the fish begins to circle the skiff. Santiago eventually pulls the fish on its side and stabs the marlin with a harpoon.

How many days was the old man at sea?

The Old Man and the Sea is the story of an epic struggle between an old, seasoned fisherman and the greatest catch of his life. For eighty-four days, Santiago, an aged Cuban fisherman, has set out to sea and returned empty-handed.

What was the saddest thing the old man ever saw?

What was the saddest thing the old man ever saw? Once he hooked the female of a pair of marlin. The male fish stayed close to her all the time. When Santiago and Manolin brought her aboard the boat, the male fish stayed by the side of the boat.

Why Santiago took down photo of his wife from the wall?

Although he has taken down the photograph of his presumably deceased wife because it makes him feel lonely, he has kept her religious pictures. One is of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the other is of the Virgin of Cobre.

What does Santiago use the oars for?

The fish will feed many people, Santiago decides, though they are not worthy of the creature’s great dignity. By starlight, still bracing and handling the line, Santiago considers rigging the oars so that the fish will have to pull harder and eventually tire itself out.

What happens as Santiago tries to carry the mast?

The mast bears a very significant symbolism as soon as Santiago begins to carry it toward his shack. Until he takes the mast down and puts it against his shoulder, the mast has simply been a piece of wood that Santiago hangs his sail from. The mast, along with the savage wounds on Santiago’s hands, screams symbolism.

Article first time published on

How does Santiago justify killing the marlin?

Santiago realizes that his struggle with the marlin was for nothing; all will soon be lost. But, he muses, “a man can be destroyed but not defeated.” … He reminds himself that he didn’t kill the marlin simply for food, that he killed it out of pride and love. He wonders if it is a sin to kill something you love.

What does Santiago promise to do if he catches the fish?

Answer: Santiago can do nothing but hold on. He pledges his love and respect to the fish, but he nevertheless promises that he will kill his opponent before the day ends.

How long has it been since the old man had caught a fish?

Santiago, an old fisherman, has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish. For the first forty days, a boy named Manolin had fished with him, but Manolin’s parents, who call Santiago salao, or “the worst form of unlucky,” forced Manolin to leave him in order to work in a more prosperous boat.

What are Santiago's 3 dreams?

Lesson Summary Santiago, the old fisherman in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, ponders youth and old age during his three-day fishing journey. Santiago dreams of lions, which symbolize youth, strength, and virility.

How long did the old man fight the marlin?

With all his great experience and strength, he struggles with the fish for three days, admiring its strength, dignity, and faithfulness to its identity; its destiny is as true as Santiago’s as a fisherman. He finally reels the marlin in and lashes it to his boat.

How old is The Old Man and the Sea?

Original book coverAuthorErnest HemingwayPublished1952 (Charles Scribner’s Sons)Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)Pages127

Why can't Santiago look at the mutilated Marlin?

Why can Santiago not look at the mutilated marlin? The marlin was his friend and he doesn’t think he honored the fish.

How are Santiago's eyes described?

How does Hemingway describe Santiago’s eyes? They are full of pain. They are blank with defeat. They betray the weariness of his soul.

How did Santiago drive away the shark?

In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago first tries to drive away the sharks with his harpoon, then with a makeshift harpoon he fashions from his knife and an oar, and finally by clubbing them. He loses against the sharks, but he fights them with everything he has.

Who does Maurya think will stop Bartley?

Answer: The priest refuses to stop Bartley from going to the Galway Fair because according to him God would listen to the old woman’s prayers and would not leave her destitute with no son living. The priest believed that God would not be so merciless that Maurya would not have any son living. 3.

What did the old man do with the boy?

Santiago, an old fisherman, has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish. … Santiago and Manolin reminisce about the many years the two of them fished together, and the boy begs the old man to let him provide fresh bait fish for him. The old man accepts the gift with humility.

Why did the two fishermen decide to fish till dusk?

So here, the reason they set out at night is because wind is favourable and also they reach the fishing point at dawn so that fish comes up seeing the light. These fishermen do not have any ice to store the fish. They simply put the fish on the boat and come back by around 2 pm to sell the fish.

Why does Santiago call the fish his brother?

Santiago thinks that the fish is killing him but that it has a right to, for he has never seen anything greater, more beautiful, calmer, or more noble than this fish he calls brother.

Why does Santiago pity the great fish?

Why does Santiago begin to pity the fish? He respects and is sympathetic about the fish.

Who was El Campeon How did he get that name?

El Campeon means ‘The Champion’ and it refers to Santiago, who earned the name in an arm wrestling match when he was much younger. Santiago recalls…

Is never hung on Santiago's wall?

Q.Which of the following never hung on Santiago’s wall?B.picture of sacred heart of jesusC.they betray the weariness of his souD.picture of fidel castroAnswer» d. picture of fidel castro

What is Hemingway's point to having the old man say I may not be as strong as I think but I know many tricks and I have resolution *?

What is Hemingway’s point to having the old man say, “I may not be as strong as I think . . . . But I know many tricks and I have resolution”? persistent, he can accomplish a great deal without tremendous strength. What did the old man dream about?

What does guano mean in The Old Man and the Sea?

guano. Sea bird droppings used as fertilizer.

What is Santiago doing at the end of the story?

What is Santiago doing at the end of the story? He is sleeping, dreaming of the lions on the beaches in Africa.

How did the tiller of the skiff come to break?

Around midnight, a pack of sharks arrives. Near-blind in the darkness, Santiago strikes out at the sounds of jaws and fins. Something snatches his club. He breaks off the boat’s tiller and makes a futile attempt to use it as a weapon.

Why did Santiago lose hope?

Why did Santiago finally lose hope? The sharks ate the MEAT of the fish. … The sharks just ate it and he went out to far.