What does Santiago call the sea?
ALa Mar, in a loving way
BEl Mar, in a respectful but distant way
CA merciless force
DHey Sea, dear
Answer:
A. La Mar, in a loving way
Read Explanation:
Understanding Santiago's Affection for the Sea in The Old Man and the Sea
- In Ernest Hemingway's novella, The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist Santiago refers to the sea affectionately as "La Mar".
The Significance of "La Mar"
- The Spanish word for sea is typically "el mar," which is masculine. However, Santiago uses the feminine form, "La Mar," which is common in Spanish by those who love the sea and see it as a nurturing or powerful female entity.
- This choice reflects his deep, personal, and loving relationship with the ocean, viewing it as a living being, almost a mother figure, rather than just an inanimate body of water.
- Calling the sea "La Mar" highlights Santiago's respect, humility, and profound connection to nature, emphasizing his belief that the sea can be kind or cruel, but always fair.
Key Facts about The Old Man and the Sea
- Author: The novella was written by the renowned American author, Ernest Hemingway.
- Publication Year: It was first published in 1952.
- Literary Awards: This work earned Hemingway the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. It was also cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing to his Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
- Genre: It is a novella, a work of fiction shorter than a novel but longer than a short story.
- Setting: The story is primarily set in the Gulf Stream waters off the coast of Havana, Cuba.
- Main Characters: The central character is Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman. Other significant characters include Manolin (his young apprentice) and the giant marlin.
- Major Themes: The novella explores themes such as perseverance, courage, man's relationship with nature, defeat and dignity, and the struggle for survival.
- Allegory: Many literary critics view the story as an allegory for Christian themes, or for Hemingway's own struggles as a writer.