Discuss the character sketch of the old man, Santiago

Santiago   is the protagonist of the novel. He is an old man who lives in a costal colony of Cuba. The novel throws light on Santiago’s multidimensional personality, through the giant fish Marlin and sharks. He is marked to be a “salao” the most unlucky for not catching fish for eighty-four days. But we find him a man who is resolute, optimist courageous, confident, strong and undefeated. He is old, thin, lean, and lanky with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck. He has brown blotches on his cheeks, deep creases on his hands and fishes alone in the Gulf Stream. Santiago is a skilled, unique and seasoned fisherman. He is an idealist for whom the fishing is more than occupation. Fishing is not only a source of money but it is a mode of life r Santiago. Santiago has been living an ordinary poor man’s life. He is a very strong and powerful man. In a hand wrestling contest, he defeated the Negro and won the title of the champion. He had also a loving wife, who died but her remembrance is fresh in his mind. Santiago is a man of determination and resolution. Eighty-four days failed struggle does not shake his determination. On eighty fifth day he decides to go far out to catch a big fish. He succeeds in catching a marlin. Physically may be defeated but morally Santiago stands victorious. His belief in “ A man can be destroyed but not be defeated” makes him a man of determination. He does not become desperate, impatient and boggled. He is determined to stay with the marlin and says “I will kill you dead before the day ends” On other occasion he says “ O fish you are killing me but I do not care who kills who”. The physical courage of the old man depends on being tough, resolute and steadfast.

Santiago is a staunch optimist. He is never defeated by the bright side of the hatter. During his fishing adventure with huge marlin, he knows the fish is experienced and can ruin him. But he is fully confident to kill the fish. He challenges the fish saying “What a man can do and what he can endure”.

Santiago has sports man spirit and worship heroism. He takes very keen interest in baseball and reads sports column in the newspapers with zeal and zest. He is always fully aware of the results of the league matches of baseball. When he gets exhausted and weak during his struggle with sharks, he reads De Maggie to muster up courage.

Santiago is an innocent noble figure. He does not keep anything reserve in his heart. Although he is weak, yet he has full confidence in his strength. He says, “Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated”. Santiago is Hemingway’s code hero who illustrates the values of life. A code hero in any novel displays the qualities of courage, dignity, honor, dedication, optimism and endurance. Santiago has a symbolic importance in the novel. He is a symbol of courage, hope, and faith. He represents man in conflict, struggling with the hostel forces of nature. Santiago is compassionate and humanistic by nature. He has the Chri stain virtues of compassion, humility and pity. He is Christ like figure believes in God and prays to him in sufferings, troubles and pains. Santiago is a jewel of humanity disguised in tattered clothes. He has a balanced and well composed personality. In short, he is an immortal character portrayed by Ernest Hemingway.