Old Man and the Sea #4

The fourth question for the novel Old Man and the Sea asks “who the “hero” in this book is and what are some of his/her traits? What does he/she accomplish, and how is he/she portrayed? Does the hero represent an abstract idea such as goodness, truth, courage or evil?

There are many definitions of a hero. I think two definitions that fit the hero of this book, the old man Santiago. The first definition of a hero is “a remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character.” This definition of a hero fits the old man because he is remarkably brave when trying to catch the fish. He shows qualities of courage and strength when he fights the sharks off in the sea. The third definition in the dictionary is “the main character in fictional plot: the principal male character in a movie, novel, or play, especially one who plays a vital role in plot development or around whom the plot is structured”. The third definition of a hero fits the old man because he is the main character of a fictional story and he is the main role in the plot.

The hero does not accomplish his goal of catching the fish; however he does gain respect and admiration from the village when he comes back after his three day journey. The old man is portrayed as crazy and odd from the people of the village. The boy sees the old man as a friend and wise man. I think the old man pleases himself because he did catch a fish and he did gain respect from his peers.

The old man represents the abstract ideas of courage and bravery. He represents courage because he fights for three days at sea and against all odds survives. The old man shows readers that they can do anything despite age. He represents bravery for the same reasons.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.