What kind of fish does Santiago first catch?
ATuna
BMarlin
CShark
DDolphin
Answer:
A. Tuna
Read Explanation:
The Old Man and the Sea: Santiago's First Catch
- In Ernest Hemingway's novella, The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist, Santiago, is an aging Cuban fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish.
- On his 85th day, Santiago ventures far out into the Gulf Stream, determined to break his unlucky streak.
- His first significant catch on this fateful journey is a tuna, which he plans to use as bait for a much larger fish.
- This initial tuna catch provides a glimmer of hope and marks the beginning of his extraordinary struggle.
Key Facts for Competitive Exams:
- Author: Ernest Hemingway, a renowned American novelist and short-story writer.
- Publication Year: The novella was published in 1952.
- Setting: The story is primarily set in the Gulf Stream off the coast of Cuba.
- Awards:
- It earned Hemingway 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, for "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."
- Themes: Prominent themes include perseverance, dignity in the face of defeat, man's relationship with nature, pride, and the concept of 'nada' (nothingness).
- Literary Significance: Considered one of Hemingway's most enduring works, it cemented his reputation as a major literary figure of the 20th century.
- Santiago's Main Struggle: After catching the tuna, Santiago hooks a giant marlin, leading to a legendary three-day struggle at sea.