Character Analysis of The Old Man and The Sea

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You will want to include the following information in your character analysis. The main character of The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, is a mature version of the typical Ernest Hemingway hero. He has outgrown the machismo of younger men, but he retains the strength of body and character that Hemingway idealizes. He is comfortable in Nature, seeing it as his milieu, not something foreign. Even as he struggles-against bad fishing, the giant marlin, the sharks-he does not feel anger; he endures:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• Defeat

All these were done with stoicism and pride in his ability to persevere. He also recognizes the importance of his relationships with his fellow men. His exhaustion upon his return to the village is not enough to make him forget his promise to give the marlin's head to Pederico. He also values his relationship with Manolin and knows he has a duty to pass on his manly values.

The Old Man and the Sea

Manolin represents the continuation of the Hemingway vision of masculinity and also the independence it requires. He must learn to disobey his father in order to learn from and become a better man. He also embodies the values of understanding and kindness, as he sees Santiago's qualities and shares his meager resources with him.

The Old Man and the Sea and the Tourist

The American tourist represents the ignorance of both the average American and of women in general. She can neither correctly identify the marlin's skeleton, nor understand the value of what Santiago has done.