Many fishermen wouldn't stay out at sea by themselves for three days, many fishermen wouldn't stay awake for three days and nights, many fishermen wouldn't attack sharks with their bare hands; but Santiago did and that is what makes him a hero of his time. He risked his life to prove to himself that he could still do all the work and more than all the young fishermen out there. Most of all he was a hero to Manolin who looked up to Santiago as he would his own father.
Choosing the hero for this book was not hard considering there were only a couple main characters. Since the main two that were talked about were the marlin and Santiago, I knew right off the bat that Santiago was the hero. Santiago was a strong and willing old man, determined to beat the fish and bring him back to shore. He was brave and conscious of the dangers around him, considering every outcome before it happened. With these traits he is able to catch the marlin and give himself the relief of catching the big fish and proving to the others that he is the best. He was finally able to rest in peace knowing that his goal had been accomplished.
I felt like I would have respected the man a ton if I was one of the other fishermen in the story. It says that they didn't really care and would ignore him most of the time, but I feel that if he gave me advice or helped me with something I would listen and thank him. I have learned in life that if someone experienced with something helps a first timer like myself at it I have learned it is best to listen and pay attention because they know what they are talking about, that is why I think he was so determined to catch the fish to prove that he does know more and has more knowledge and wisdom of fishing than them from years of experience.
Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.
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