By Sam C.

In the novella, The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, an old man named Santiago is faced with many horrendous obstacles he must overcome while at sea. All of these obstacles are physical or psychological, and Santiago has to find a way to get pass them and carry on with his fight to catch the marlin he has been after for a long while. He was never a lucky man and this catch could gain him the respect he has wanted. Throughout this story, Santiago is faced with excruciating pain in his hand, loneliness, and the fact he brought inadequate supplies.

Pain is one of the various things Santiago has to overcome in this novella. While the marlin pulls him through the Gulf of Mexico, his hand becomes cramped up into a claw shape. “ ‘How do you feel hand?’ He asked the cramped hand that was almost as stiff as rigor mortis, ‘I’ll eat some more for you.’ ” (58-59). This quote shows the determination that Santiago has and how he will do anything and everything in his power to make sure he has his strength to catch the marlin.

While out at sea, Santiago becomes very lonely. You can tell he is becoming lonely because he keeps repeating the words, “I wish I had the boy.” (51). The boy, Manolin, and Santiago have and have had a strong relationship. Even though Santiago didn’t have much luck Manolin always stuck by him and helped him. When he is lonely his mind roams thinking about old memories. Then, while out at sea, a bird lands on the skiff and Santiago begins to talk to it. “ ‘How old are you?’ The old man asked the bird, Is this your first trip?’ ” (55). This quote signifies that he is so lonely he will talk to anyone, including the bird.

A fisherman must always have adequate supplies to make it through their fishing trips, but Santiago believed his trip would only last a day. He obviously thought wrong. While at sea Santiago says to himself “ ‘You should have brought many things,’ he thought. ‘But you did not bring them, old man.’ ” (110) I think he felt somewhat disappointed in himself because he wasn’t as prepared as a fisherman should be. The lack of food made him tired which made it much harder for him to put up a fight against the 1,000-pound marlin.

Santiago’s experiences out in the Gulf of Mexico were very rewarding for him, but were also a painful experience. He has gained respect of the men in his village because of the massive marlin he roped in. Even though the marlin lost most of its meat from the sharks, Santiago gained wisdom for the next time he goes out fishing. He learned to bring an adequate supply of food and tools. In this story we have heard about an old man’s determination through pain, loneliness, and lack of food. If you have enough belief in yourself and enough determination you can overcome anything which was clearly portrayed by Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.