Blog #29 Character Analysis: Santiago (The Old Man and the Sea)

The main character in the story is the old man, or Santiago. The old man is very wrinkly and looks his age. He is skinny, full of scars, and has brown splotches on his skin.   Santiago is on a streak of bad luck in the beginning of the book. He looks very old, except for his eyes (Hemingway 10), which are just as young as he wants to be. His eyes are still full of the sea, the colors and everything. Santiago is the type of character who does not care about what other people think. When the other fishermen sit on the terrace and make fun of him, he pays no attention for the opinions of the others do not matter to him (Hemingway 11). The old man struggles within himself. He knows that he is a very good fisherman and that his time will come again when he has a streak of good luck. He internally wants the approval and respect of the other fishermen who constantly put him down. When he heads out to sea, he becomes stronger. He is sure that this time will be the time that he catches a fish. When he finally does get a bite, he is very happy. When he realizes how strong and big the fish really is, at first he is overwhelmed, but he lets no problem get to him. He is the smartest character in the book. He has an advantage over many of the fishermen because he is of old age and has had more experience. The struggle with the fish pulls out many characteristics. He is very courageous to go out so sea alone, not knowing all the dangers that may lie ahead. He took a big risk. He is very smart and knows what to do when things get tough. He is a thinker. Santiago consistently talks to himself (Hemingway 77) and the fish to make his feelings and thoughts out in the open and keep an internal argument. The old man is very hopeful and full of pride. He never lets a challenge get him down, and each challenge he faces makes him grow stronger in pride and stronger as a person. Of course he is my favorite character in the story simply because of the themes he portrays. The message he gives is timeless and in this novel the reader has a chance to personally connect with Santiago.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Cuba. Scribner’s Publishing. 1952