The Old Man and the Sea Lecture Notes

General Information

Santiago: The old man, a seasoned fisherman who has gone 84 days without a catch.
The Boy (Manolin): A young boy who used to fish with Santiago but was forced to leave by his parents.

Santiago's unlucky streak: 84 days without a fish.
Day 85: Santiago sets out alone, boy offers to help but Santiago insists he stays with a 'lucky' boat. They reminisce about past fishing trips and make plans for the current one.
Santiago’s physical description: gaunt, deep wrinkles, and skin blotches from the sun.
Santiago has deep scars from handling heavy fish, but none of them fresh.
Narrative begins with Santiago preparing for a new fishing expedition.

Santiago hooks a giant marlin on the 85th day.
Intense struggle: The fish pulls Santiago's boat far out to sea. Santiago endures physical pain but remains determined.
Boy wishes he were there to help. Santiago frequently suffers from cramps and physical exhaustion.
Fish finally tires, circles the boat; Santiago manages to harpoon it after a heroic effort.
Santiago lashes the marlin alongside his skiff and begins the journey home.

The fish is larger than Santiago’s boat, symbolic of a monumental achievement but also of looming conflict.
Sharks attack: Santiago fights off sharks with makeshift weapons but cannot prevent them from eating the marlin.

Santiago battles exhaustion and despair as more sharks attack and strip the marlin of its meat, leaving only the skeleton.
Continues to fight off sharks to no avail.
Santiago is left with nothing but the fish’s skeleton.

Santiago returns to the village defeated but dignified. He straps the marlin's skeleton to the side of his skiff and heads home.
The boy looks after Santiago, promises to fish with him again despite parents' wishes.
Villagers are shocked by the size of the marlin's skeleton.
Santiago falls into a deep sleep and dreams of lions, symbolic of his lost youth and dreams.

Struggle and Suffering: Santiago’s physical and emotional struggles represent human endurance and dignity in the face of adversity.
Pride and Personal Triumph: Santiago’s battle with the marlin is a testament to his personal pride and individual achievement, despite eventual loss.
Nature's Indifference: The novel explores the idea that nature is an indifferent force, neither benevolent nor malevolent.
Brotherhood and Respect: Santiago’s respect and admiration for the marlin symbolize a deep sense of connection and mutual respect between hunter and prey.

The Marlin: Represents Santiago’s ultimate challenge and his deep respect for nature.
Lions on the Beach: Symbolize Santiago's lost youth, strength, and aspirations.
The Skiff: Symbolizes man's fragile existence and determination in a vast, indifferent world.
The Sea: Represents the unpredictable nature of life and the larger forces beyond human control.
Sharks: Represent destructive forces that challenge human achievement and integrity.

“He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone 84 days now without taking a fish.”
“Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated.”
“A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”