How does Santiago's struggle end?
AHe wins a moral victory despite losing the marlin's flesh to the sharks
BHe sells the skeleton for money
CHe gives up and leaves the sea
DHe went again to the sea
Answer:
A. He wins a moral victory despite losing the marlin's flesh to the sharks
Read Explanation:
Understanding Santiago's Moral Victory in The Old Man and the Sea
The Protagonist and His Struggle
- Santiago is the central character, an aging Cuban fisherman known for his persistent bad luck ('salao'). He goes 84 days without catching a fish.
- His epic struggle begins on the 85th day when he hooks a giant marlin, which he battles for three days and two nights far out in the Gulf Stream. This struggle is a testament to his endurance and skill.
The Physical Loss vs. Moral Gain
- After finally harpooning the marlin, Santiago ties it to the side of his skiff, as it is too large to bring aboard.
- On his return journey to the shore, he faces a relentless attack from sharks, which devour the marlin's flesh, leaving only its skeleton (head, spine, and tail).
- Despite the physical loss of the prize catch, Santiago's spirit remains unbroken. He demonstrates extraordinary perseverance, courage, and resilience against overwhelming odds.
- The term 'moral victory' signifies that while he lost the tangible prize, he proved his strength, skill, and indomitable spirit. He pushed his limits, confronted nature, and ultimately triumphed over despair and self-doubt.
Key Thematic Elements & Authorial Intent
- The novel explores themes of courage, endurance, defeat, pride, respect for nature, and man's relationship with the natural world.
- Santiago's journey is often seen as an allegory for human suffering and triumph. His struggle against the marlin represents his battle against the challenges of life, and his fight with the sharks symbolizes the destructive forces that diminish even the greatest achievements.
- His deep respect for the marlin, his adversary, highlights the noble aspect of the struggle itself, rather than just the outcome. He sees the marlin as a noble creature, almost a brother.
Competitive Exam Facts
- The Old Man and the Sea was written by Ernest Hemingway and published in 1952.
- It was Hemingway's last major work of fiction published during his lifetime.
- The novel immediately achieved critical acclaim and was instrumental in Hemingway being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953.
- It played a significant role in his being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954, with the Swedish Academy citing "his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary style."
- The novella reinforced Hemingway's reputation as a master of the 'iceberg theory' of writing, where much of the meaning is beneath the surface.