Bring out the symbolism implied in the struggle of the old man against the sea in the novel.

The word symbolism came to be associated with Hemingway only after the appearance of the novel The Old Man and the Sea. In The Old Man and the Sea, we find that the symbolism of Hemingway has far deeper significance. Here also the story is only the small visible part built up by a series of parables and symbols. Hemingway himself has said, “I tried to make a real old man a real old man and a real boy, a real scene, a real fish and real sharks. But if I made them good and sure enough, they would mean many things. So apart from being a moving little story on fishing, the book could be read as personal parable and universal allegory”. 

Hemingway has taken many facts from his own life for this novel. Something of his character and personality is given to the hero of the novel. But in The Old Man and the Sea, the identification between the author and the hero is complete. In Santiago’s story the reader is to detect the struggles of Hemingway his confidence and his determination. Santiago goes for his work always with care and precision. He shows extraordinary courage. He represents Hemingway. They are similar in many ways. In spite of the extreme difficulties Santiago triumphs over the fish, even though finally he is defeated by the sharks. 

He is happy that he did not surrender to the marlin or the sea. For Hemingway Gulf Stream is time. The marlin which is hidden in the deep sea is truth hidden in the depth of time. Hemingway is trying to understand this truth like Santiago who tries to catch the marlin from the depth of the sea. We seeHemingway’s daring soul in Santiago’s determination to go far into the sea.The symbolism in the soul is not limited to personal level. Thewhole novel is underlined by a universal parable. It is the representation of life as a struggle against unconquerable natural forces. Victory is possible in this action. Santiago represents the great heroes of Greek tragedy fated to failure yet struggling nobly against the hatred of an adverse enemy.

Santiago’s aspiration, personality and inevitable nature of his failure reminds us of those heroes. His words “man is not made for defeat, a man can be destroyed, but not defeated” reflects this comparison. In the novel there is an unmistakable Christian strain. Santiago fights the good fight, without caring for the reward. Towards the end of his struggle, he even says, “I don’t care who kills who”. Santiago is an example of the doctrine of Christian love. He has the fisherman apostle and martyr from the sea of Galilee in him. He has also something of St.Francis in him as he feels for the birds and fishes. The natural compassion he feels towards creatures is essentially a Christian virtue. He repeatedly mutters “Hail Mary” but we cannot take him as a religious person. Instead we can see the Christian Spirit in him. He shows certain qualities of mind and heart which are clearly related to the character and personality of Jesus Christ in the parables. Hemingway’s use of symbolism is so restrained that he cannot be categorised along with those who are usually labeled as symbolists. He uses symbolism with a strict restraint so as to work protect his realism.