Perseverance and Determination in The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Abstract

The Old Man and the Sea is an extraordinary novel that has attracted the attention of a huge number of readers and writers all across the globe for decades because of its profound exploration of resilience, and the great spirit of perseverance. This article aims at exploring the themes of perseverance and determination, which are among the main ones developed in Ernest Hemingway’s masterpiece entitled The Old Man and the Sea. Through a close reading approach, this article will analyze the key passages and character interactions to clarify the multi-layered narrative of Santiago, the protagonist, who is described in the book as an old Cuban fisherman. Through his fierce pursuit of the marlin, a giant opponent, the author delves deep into the themes of perseverance, determination, endurance and the human capacity to overcome adversity.

In fact, Santiago’s determination to catch the marlin serves as a metaphor to human beings’ ability to cope with various ordeals of life. It highlights the physical and psychological dimensions of Santiago, the main character, putting the focus on his unwavering force and extraordinary positive spirit in the face of adversity and physical isolation.