by Jess G.

In our life we are faced with many challenges that affect everything we do from that point on. In The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, this is very true for Santiago. Throughout the novella, Santiago, a poor fisherman barely getting by, is faced with almost death situations and somehow finds the will power to come out alive. Some of these crucial situations are struggling with fatigue, having to face killer sharks without the proper equipment, and having no food or water.

In the novella there were many times where Santiago struggled with fatigue. “But he felt faint again. He lifted some water with his left hand and put it on his head. Then he put more on and rubbed the back of his neck.” (88). This quote shows that the sun was really getting to him and he was probably going to pass out soon. “The old man felt faint and sick and he could not see well.” (94). This quote also shows how he was getting close to being dehydrated. The old man suffered because he was so despite to catch a fish. He wanted it to prove to himself that he wasn’t unlucky; he also needed to prove to the other fishermen that he still had it in him. He needed the respect back.

Having to face killer sharks is one thing, but having to do it without the proper equipment is totally different. Santiago had only what he needed to fish and that wasn’t a lot at all. Santiago, being so intelligent though, didn’t need all fancy things to protect him. All of it would have been nice but it was just unfortunate that he was on the poorer side, and didn’t have it. Santiago killed the sharks that came to get his prized fish with his harpoon, a little knife, ore, a little rope, and his bare hands. “He prepared the harpoon, and made the rope fast while he watched the shark come on. The rope was short as it lacked what he had cut away to lash the fish.” (101).

Not eating for four days is pretty harsh. For Santiago it was even worse seen as with trying to catch the fish he was losing energy that his body couldn’t replace. “He leaned over the side [of the boat] and pulled loose a piece of the meat of the fish where the shark had cut him.” (106). He was so desperate for food that he started to eat a little of his marlin. Even though he could really use the money he needed to live more, and that was the only food he had..

Santiago struggled more in those four days than most people do in their lifetimes. From fatigue to sharks, and then to not having any food or water Santiago didn’t have it too well.. Through all of this though, he didn’t lose hope. He kept at the marlin. He was determined to get it and earn his respect back. Almost dying wasn’t in his mind at all. He was always only thinking about what people would say when he brought back the monster fish.