Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea
             In the novel The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, there is quite a bit of symbolism, whether it is religious or not. This symbolism helps to bring to light the characteristics and personalities of the characters. This helps the reader understand who or what they really are. As well it explains what they represent. The symbolism of Santiago's struggle with the marlin, the lions in his dreams, and his constant talk of Joe DiMaggio portray Santiago's views and beliefs of the world and others around him.
             Santiago's struggle with the marlin for days on end is symbolic of his own personal struggle with himself and with nature. Santiago does not want to give up his pride to the marlin but wants to finally end his long drought of not catching any fish. " 'Fish,' he said, 'I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.'"(p.54) This shows that he has great respect for the fish, yet he has to kill him for his own personal pride. Even though Santiago feels as if his struggle with the marlin and the sea might kill him, it has united him and the fish. Through their bond as creatures, he now understands the mysteries of the sea and her creatures. He now feels compassion towards the marlin and understands how he would feel if he was in the marlin's place. " ' I shouldn't have gone out so far, fish,' he said. 'Neither for you nor me. I'm sorry fish.'"(p.110) By calling him his brother, Santiago has now created a bond with the marlin after spending so much time with the fish and now feels sorry for what he
             Santiago often has dreams about the lions on the long golden beaches of Africa when he was a young boy on a sailing boat (p.24). It seems that when Santiago is struggling and having a hard time dealing with things, he often retreats into his dreamworld of lions laying on the beaches of Africa. They s
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