1. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Understanding the Author and His Work

2. Ernest Hemingway ( )
Born the son of a doctor in Oak Park, Illinois – July 21, 1899
Became a reporter shortly after finishing high school
Was not allowed to join the Army in World War I, so he joined the Red Cross.
Reported on WWI, the Spanish Civil War, and WWII.

3. Ernest Hemingway & Modernism
Modernism – literary movement after World War II that sought to gain a clear understanding of their world
Features of Modernism
Rejection of traditional themes and subject matters.
A focus on alienated individuals rather than “heroes” who stood for the values of society.
Frequent themes of impermanence and change.

4. Ernest Hemingway & Modernism
Features of Modernism (cont.)
Use of understatement and irony to reveal important emotions and ideas.
Use of symbols and images that suggest meanings rather than statements that explain meanings.
Use of stream-of-consciousness technique to show what’s going on both inside and outside the characters.

5. The Old Man and the Sea Won Pulitzer Prize in Literature – 1954
Hemingway’s last work
Novella – brief work of fiction
“His novella shows how death can invigorate life. . . [In the novel] we see how killing and death brings man to an understanding of his own mortality--his own power over it” (Topham, np).

6. The Old Man and the Sea Style & Diction
Style – straightforward, simple clipped dialogue
Diction – simple words, BIG effects

7. Hemingway’s 5 Rules to Writing Well
Use short sentences
Have short first paragraphs
Use vigorous English
Be positive, not negative
Have only 4 rules (Clark, NP)

8. The Old Man and the Sea Universal Themes Power of Nature
The Limits of Man
Unconquerable Spirit

9. The Old Man and the Sea Archetypes: The Christ Figure
Critics have recognized the character of Santiago as that of a Christ figure.
The comparison is made on both physical and philosophical connections that may be made between Santiago and Christ.

10. Archetypes: The Christ Figure
Physical Comparisons
1. Scars in Santiago’s hands
2. Forty days of temptation
3. Followed by disciple
4. Carrying of the “cross”/mast
5. Crucifix position
6. Three day battle

11. Archetypes: The Christ Figure
Philosophical Comparisons
1. Burden of proof
2. Name sake –
Saint James-saint of fishermen
3. Belief in the power of faith

12. Ernest Hemingway’s Code Hero
Hemingway was the first to coin the term Code Hero.
The Code Hero was “a man’s man,” with set standards of living, expectations, and rules of conduct.
Often in Hemingway's stories, the hero's world is violent and disorderly; moreover, the violence and disorder seem to win.

13. Ernest Hemingway’s Code Hero
A Code Hero must. . .
1. Be self-disciplined,
A man of action rather than theory.
ENDURANCE IN LIFE Of STRESS, MISFORTUNE, and PAIN.
COURAGE
HONOR

14. Ernest Hemingway’s Code Hero
2. Have a clear concept of death,
Avoidance – not in a cowardly manner
Seeks rewards in this world

15. Ernest Hemingway’s Code Hero
3. Always displays grace under pressure.
ACTS HONORABLY IN THE FACE OF A LOSING BATTLE.
IN DOING SO PROVES HIS MANHOOD AND HIS WORTH.

16. Other Symbols and Universal Themes
The Old Man and the Sea is often called a parable or fable – Lesson learned?
Santiago, a fisherman, symbolizes everyone who struggles honestly for their own idea of a “good life.”
The sea symbolizes everywhere.
Santiago symbolizes the sinner by deliberately fishing beyond the usual zone and because he defies those rules, he is punished.

17. Other Symbols and Universal Themes
Santiago can be seen as the archetype of The Stoic, who accepts terrible physical pain and disappointment without complaint.
Santiago may be seen as a hero achieving spiritual triumph despite his material defeat – “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”

18. Other Symbols and Universal Themes
Santiago’s Relationship with the Sea
Sea is romanticized
Feminine being
Place of brotherhood
Place of baptism