Question

What does the old man remove and eat from the belly of a dolphin?

• A. Tuna
• B. Flying Fish
• C. Marlin meat
• D. Seaweed

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Tuna

Context of the Novel: The Old Man and the Sea

• The event takes place in Ernest Hemingway's renowned novella, The Old Man and the Sea, published in 1952.
• The protagonist is an aging Cuban fisherman named Santiago, who is enduring a long streak of bad luck, having gone 84 days without catching a fish.
• The story primarily details Santiago's epic struggle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream.

The Specific Incident

• During his long and arduous battle with the marlin, Santiago finds himself without food.
• To sustain himself, he catches a dolphin fish (also known as a mahi-mahi), which is a predator that feeds on smaller fish.
• Santiago guts the dolphin fish and discovers a small, fresh tuna inside its stomach, which he then consumes to regain his strength and continue his fight with the marlin. This act highlights his resourcefulness and deep understanding of the ocean's ecosystem.

Significance and Themes

• This act demonstrates Santiago's profound connection with nature and his ability to survive in the harsh environment of the open sea.
• It underscores themes of perseverance, struggle, survival, and the dignity found in facing insurmountable challenges.
• The incident also symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death in the marine world.

Competitive Exam Facts about The Old Man and the Sea

• Author: Ernest Hemingway.
• Publication Year: 1952.
• Genre: Novella, allegory, adventure fiction.
• Setting: Gulf Stream off the coast of Havana, Cuba.
• Major Characters: Santiago (the old man), Manolin (the boy), the Marlin, the Sharks.
• Key Themes: Man vs. Nature, Perseverance, Courage, Defeat, Dignity, Love and Friendship, the Heroic Ideal.
• Awards: This novella was instrumental in Hemingway being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953.
• It was also cited by the Nobel Committee as a significant factor in awarding Hemingway the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
• The novel solidified Hemingway's status as a major literary figure and is considered one of his most significant works.