Symbolism in The Old Man Of The Sea

Name : Radha GhevariyaRoll No: 22Paper : (10) The American LiteratureEnrollment No. : PG14101013Year : 2015- ‘16Email: radhaghevariya55@gmail.comSubmitted to : Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English Bhavnagar University

IntroductionErnest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economical and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the mid-1950s, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. He published seven novels, six short story collections and two non-fiction works. After the publication of The Old Man and the Sea in 1952, Hemingway went on safari to Africa, where he was almost killed in two plane crashes that left him in pain or ill-health for much of the rest of his life. Hemingway had permanent residences in Key West, Florida, and Cuba during the 1930s and 1940s, but in 1959 he moved from Cuba to Ketchum, Idaho, where he committed suicide in the summer of 1961.

What Is Symbolism?

“ symbolism means use of symbol like object,

characters, figures or colour to represent abstract ideas ,

concept or qualities”

Symbolism in The Old Man And The Sea

* The element of symbolism is presented in all the works of Hemingway. * His novel ‘The Old Man And The Sea’ Hemingway’s uses of symbols comes to climax in this novel. * The novel is rich in symbolism, images and motifs that enhance both the plot and the theme.

Symbols in the Novella

Sea

Base-

ballLion

Marlin and

Sharks

Number Like

three, seven, forty and

eighty five

Crucifixion and

Christianit-y

Symbolic use of Sea

* The Sea represents the Universe and Santiago's isolation in the Universe. * This Sea is symbol of life itself man has to sail either it is sea or life to go through. * However , either it is life or sea man has to embark journey and go through it amid all possible odes.

* The novella introduced important symbol of baseball. * There is recurring reference to DiMaggio who symbolic Santiago’s determination , will-power, enthusiasm and physical strength at the age of 75 years.

* Thus, DiMaggio is the role model for Santiago and he symbolic triumphant survival.

Symbol of Lion

* Hemingway has presented Lion. They are little cubs who symbolism youthful possibility and great things to come Santiago often dreams of Lion playing on African beach. “ He no longer dreamed of storms ,

nor of women , nor of great occurrences , nor of great fish…. He

only dreamed of places now and them lion on the beach”

* Marlin , a magnificent and glorious fish symbolizes the mysterious world of sea which full of surprise and challenges. * Secondly the marlin symbolizes the ideal and worthy opponent even Santiago finds himself lucky to match against a creature like marlin. * Thirdly, it is only due to marlin both Santiago and even we realize the unexpected world of sea.

Continue….

* Marlin even presented as a Christian allegory. Marlin is as clam and cool as lord Jesus Christ was though it is hooked by Santiago ; it does not attack on him. * However , the sharks are in great contrast to marlin. The shoved hosed sharks have attacked the marlin thoughtlessly.

* The numeric symbolism in the novel ‘the old man and the sea’ seen to be religious number or figures like three, seven, forty and eighty-five have special significance in the bible.

According to Carlos Baker ,

“Santiago shows certain qualities of mind and heart ; which are clearly associated

with the character and personality of Jesus Christ in

the Gospel stories”

* Hemingway skillfully uses the crucifixion of Jesus to highlight the suffering and pain of Santiago. * Thus, both Santiago and Jesus Christ resembles in matter of humanitarians perhaps, Hemingway may want to prove that;

“What a man can do and what a man endure….”

conclusion