DISCUSSION QUESTIONS The Old Man And The Sea |
1. What is suggested
when Manolin says to Santiago that his father "hasn't much faith" (p.
10) but that he, himself, "would like to serve in some way" (p. 12)?
Does this offer of Manolin's asking to throw the "cast net" (p. 16) echo
the Bible and underscore the boy's respect for Santiago? Why is Santiago
so worthy of Manolin's respect? 2. Why is the boy so important to Santiago?
Despite his bad luck, Santiago's hope and confidence remain, even
"freshening as when the breeze rises" (p. 13) as the boy helps him
prepare for his next fishing trip. What does this statement indicate
about the role Manolin plays in Santiago's life? Could "the boy" be
regarded as a metaphor? How? 3. Like other Hemingway characters, Santiago
is very much alone, "beyond all people in the world" (p. 50); yet he
says, "No man was ever alone on the sea" (p. 61). Why? Does he feel
joined with the creatures and universe or strengthened and sustained by
them in any way? Do his dreams of the lions or reflections about his
earlier strength support him? 4. Although determined to kill the fish,
Santiago says that he loves and respects it, and on the third day of his
struggle he says, "Never have I seen a greater, or more beautiful, or a
calmer or more noble thing than you, brother. Come on and kill me. I do
not care who kills who" (p. 92). Is Santiago ennobled by his fight? Does
it define his character? 5. How does the story of Santiago confirm the presence of two themes prevalent in Hemingway's fiction: "the undefeated" and "winner take nothing"? Santiago says, "A man can be destroyed but not defeated." Do you agree? Can the novella be read as an allegory, a story with levels of meanings? Is it merely Santiago's story, or our story also? |