How does Santiago finally kill the marlin?
AHe traps it with a net.
BHe ties it to the boat.
CHe shoots it.
DHe spears it with a harpoon
Answer:
D. He spears it with a harpoon
Read Explanation:
The Old Man and the Sea: The Climax of Santiago's Struggle
- The Old Man and the Sea is a novella written by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1952. It tells the epic struggle between an aging, experienced fisherman named Santiago and a giant marlin.
- Santiago, after 84 days without catching a fish, ventures far into the Gulf Stream. On the 85th day, he hooks a massive marlin, initiating a grueling two-day and two-night struggle.
- The marlin is described as an immense fish, 18 feet long, larger than Santiago's skiff. Its size and power test Santiago's endurance, strength, and resolve to their limits.
- The final act of killing the marlin occurs after Santiago has been pulled far out to sea, enduring immense pain and exhaustion. He finally manages to bring the marlin close enough to his skiff.
- Santiago ultimately kills the marlin by plunging his harpoon deep into its heart. This single, decisive act, powered by his remaining strength and determination, brings the epic battle to an end.
- The harpoon is Santiago's primary weapon for large fish, and its effective use at the critical moment symbolizes his ultimate triumph over the immense challenge.
Key Competitive Exam Facts:
- The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953.
- It was specifically cited by the Nobel Committee when Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
- The novella explores themes such as perseverance, determination, pride, man versus nature, and the dignity in struggle and defeat.
- Hemingway's minimalist writing style, often referred to as the 'Iceberg Theory,' is prominently displayed in this work.
- The character of Santiago is often seen as an embodiment of the heroic struggle against overwhelming odds and the concept of 'grace under pressure.'