Portrayal of the old man- The Old Man and the Sea

In the book, 'The Old Man and the Sea', Santiago is portrayed as an old Cuban fisherman. He is a very wise man with years of fishing experience. His friend and apprentice, Manolin, has been fishing with him for years. The old man is a very good fisherman, but he has become known as unlucky in the town that he lives in because he and Manolin have not caught any fish in eighty four days. Manolin was forced to leave the old man's ship for a more prosperous ship, leaving the old man to go out and fish by himself. The old man is very understanding about this situation. Most people would have gotten very upset with Manolin but the old man is very kind and understanding. In the book, the old man, or Santiago, is a kind, caring and patient old man. He is always optimistic, even when everyone else around him is extremely negative about the old man's situation. He is portrayed as very tough and brave. He toughs it out for days trapped on the ocean with the biggest catch of his lifetime. He eats raw fish and sits in the burning sun while his hands become cut and scraped from the fishing wire. He is very tough while his body begins to turn against him as his hands cramp up into claws and he is unable to use them. The old man is very brave and confident. He is confident in his ability to catch the fish. He knows that it will be a very difficult challenge, but he is up for it and he believes in himself that he can do it. In the book the old man is portrayed as kind, patient, understanding, brave and confident. All of these characteristics are what makes him a good fisherman and a character that the reader wants to succeed. His characteristics are also what makes him a good role model for the young boy.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner Paperback Fiction, 1995. Print.