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

The Old Man The Old Man and the Sea and the Sea by Ernest by Ernest

HemingwayHemingwayUnderstanding Understanding the Author and the Author and

His WorkHis Work

Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway(1899-1961)(1899-1961)

Born the son of a doctor in Born the son of a doctor in Oak Park, Illinois – July 21, Oak Park, Illinois – July 21, 18991899

Became a reporter shortly Became a reporter shortly after finishing high schoolafter finishing high school

Was not allowed to join the Was not allowed to join the Army in World War I, so he Army in World War I, so he joined the Red Cross.joined the Red Cross.

Reported on WWI, the Reported on WWI, the Spanish Civil War, and WWII. Spanish Civil War, and WWII.

Ernest Hemingway & Ernest Hemingway & ModernismModernism

Modernism – literary movement after Modernism – literary movement after World War II that sought to gain a clear World War II that sought to gain a clear understanding of their worldunderstanding 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.

Ernest Hemingway & Ernest Hemingway & ModernismModernism

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.

The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea

Won Pulitzer Prize in Won Pulitzer Prize in Literature – 1954Literature – 1954

Hemingway’s last workHemingway’s last work Novella – brief work of fictionNovella – brief work of fiction ““His novella shows how death His novella shows how death

can invigorate life. . . [In the can invigorate life. . . [In the novel] we see how killing and novel] we see how killing and death brings man to an death brings man to an understanding of his own understanding of his own mortality--his own power over mortality--his own power over it” (Topham, np).it” (Topham, np).


Style & DictionStyle & Diction

Style – straightforward, simple clipped dialogue

Diction – simple words, BIG effects

Hemingway’s Hemingway’s 5 Rules to Writing Well5 Rules to Writing Well

Use short sentencesUse short sentences Have short first Have short first

paragraphsparagraphs Use Use vigorous vigorous

EnglishEnglish Be positive, not Be positive, not

negativenegative Have only 4 rulesHave only 4 rules

(Clark, NP)(Clark, NP)


Universal ThemesUniversal Themes

Power of Nature

The Limits of Man

Unconquerable Spirit

The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea Archetypes: The Christ FigureArchetypes: 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.

Archetypes: The Christ Archetypes: The Christ FigureFigure

Physical ComparisonsPhysical Comparisons

1. Scars in Santiago’s hands2. Forty days of temptation3. Followed by disciple

4. Carrying of the “cross”/mast5. Crucifix position

6. Three day battle

Archetypes: The Christ Archetypes: The Christ FigureFigure

Philosophical ComparisonsPhilosophical Comparisons

1. Burden of proof

2. Name sake –

Saint James-saint of fishermen

3. Belief in the power of faith

Ernest Hemingway’s Ernest Hemingway’s Code HeroCode Hero

Hemingway was the first Hemingway was the first to coin the term Code to coin the term Code Hero.Hero.

The Code Hero was “a The Code Hero was “a man’s man,” with set man’s man,” with set standards of living, standards of living, expectations, and rules of expectations, and rules of conduct.conduct.

Often in Hemingway's stories, the hero's world is violent and disorderly; moreover, the violence and disorder seem to win.


A Code Hero must. . .A Code Hero must. . .

1. Be self-disciplined,

A man of action rather than theory.

HONOR COURAGE

ENDURANCE IN LIFE Of STRESS, MISFORTUNE, and PAIN.


2. Have a clear concept of death,

Avoidance – not in a cowardly mannerSeeks rewards

in this world


3. Always displays grace 3. Always displays grace under pressure.under pressure.

ACTS HONORABLY IN THE FACE OF A LOSING BATTLE.

IN DOING SO PROVES HIS MANHOOD AND HIS WORTH.

Other Symbols and Other Symbols and Universal ThemesUniversal Themes

The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea is often called is often called a parable or fable – Lesson learned?a parable or fable – Lesson learned?

Santiago, a fisherman, symbolizes Santiago, a fisherman, symbolizes everyone who struggles honestly for everyone who struggles honestly for their own idea of a “good life.”their own idea of a “good life.”

The sea symbolizes everywhere.The sea symbolizes everywhere. Santiago symbolizes the sinner by Santiago symbolizes the sinner by

deliberately fishing beyond the usual deliberately fishing beyond the usual zone and because he defies those rules, zone and because he defies those rules, he is punished.he is punished.


Santiago can be seen as the Santiago can be seen as the archetype of The Stoic, who accepts archetype of The Stoic, who accepts terrible physical pain and terrible physical pain and disappointment without complaint.disappointment without complaint.

Santiago may be seen as a hero Santiago may be seen as a hero achieving spiritual triumph despite achieving spiritual triumph despite his material defeat – “A man can be his material defeat – “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”destroyed but not defeated.”


Santiago’s Relationship with the SeaSantiago’s Relationship with the Sea Sea is romanticizedSea is romanticized Feminine beingFeminine being Place of brotherhoodPlace of brotherhood Place of baptismPlace of baptism

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

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