Question

How long does it take for the sharks to arrive and attack the marlin?

• A. 30 minutes
• B. 1 hour
• C. 2 hours
• D. 3 hours

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 1 hour

The Old Man and the Sea Context

• This question pertains to Ernest Hemingway's renowned novella, The Old Man and the Sea, first published in 1952.
• The narrative centers on Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman, and his epic battle with a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream off the coast of Cuba.
• After a grueling, multi-day struggle, Santiago successfully harpoons the immense marlin, which is significantly larger than his small skiff.

The Onset of Shark Attacks

• Upon Santiago's triumph over the marlin and his decision to lash it to the side of his boat for the journey back to shore, the marlin's blood trail in the water inevitably attracts predators.
• The first shark to attack the marlin is described as a large, swift Mako shark.
• The novel specifies that it takes approximately one hour after Santiago has the marlin secured and begins his return journey for this initial Mako shark to appear and commence its assault on the valuable catch.
• Santiago, despite his exhaustion, heroically battles and kills this first shark with his harpoon, but not before it tears a significant piece from the marlin's side.

Subsequent Battles and Themes

• The Mako shark's attack signals the beginning of a relentless series of assaults by other sharks, primarily aggressive shovel-nosed sharks (Galano sharks).
• Santiago fights valiantly against these subsequent waves of attackers, using various improvised weapons like a knife lashed to an oar, showcasing his extraordinary perseverance and skill.
• Despite his unwavering spirit, the sharks eventually devour almost the entire marlin, leaving only its skeleton by the time Santiago reaches Havana harbor.
• This struggle highlights key themes in the novella such as the dignity in defeat, the perseverance of the human spirit, man's relationship with nature, and the concept of 'grace under pressure.'

Literary Acclaim and Author Information

• The Old Man and the Sea was an immediate success and played a significant role in Ernest Hemingway being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953.
• It is widely considered to have contributed directly to Hemingway's receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954, which recognized his mastery of narrative and influence on contemporary style.
• Ernest Miller Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American novelist and short-story writer known for his economical and understated style, often referred to as the 'iceberg theory' of writing.
• Other notable works by Hemingway include A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Sun Also Rises, many of which explore themes of war, loss, masculinity, and the human condition.