Old Man and the Sea- Symbols

In the book the Old Man and the Sea, the author uses many things as symbols. For example, I think one of the biggest symbols in this book is the marlin. The marlin symbolizes the strength of the old man, and also the dedication of him. The old man fought against this fish for three days in the hot sun before he finally defeats this massive fish. I think it would take a lot of strength for anyone to sit out in the sun for three days with little food and water, but for an old man I think it would be ten times harder. The fish also symbolizes an opponent for the old man. The old man believes that everything will kill something, and he is honored that he was able to kill this eighteen foot marlin. By battling this fish, I think the old man's best qualities are brought to the surface. He shows perseverance, strength, and wisdom while he struggles against this fish, and I think it brings some youth back into this old man. Another symbol the author uses in this novel is the sharks that attack the old man's precious marlin. These sharks represent the laws of nature, and they do a very good job of destroying this old man's fish. The marlin is far to big to put on the old man's boat, so he has it tied up to the side. The fish was freshly killed and is leaving behind it a trail of blood in the water, which of course will attract sharks. Sharks are predators, and when predators are hungry they eat. That is one way in which the sharks represent nature. The sharks also represent destruction. Sometimes in life something you love or something close to you can be destroyed. The old man loved this fish and fought for this fish, but then the sharks come along and destroy it without hesitation. All of the symbols used in this book are very important to the underlying theme.

Bibliography

Hemmingway, Ernest. Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner. 1996. Print.