The traditional hero is a mythological or legendary figure who is "endowed with great strength and ability."(498) Most often born to the role, the heroes' skill, strength and courage rises above those of ordinary men. They are fearless and willing to put others
             lives before their own. In Ernest Hemingway's novel, The Old Man and The Sea, Hemingway introduced a new kind of hero to American Fiction; "this Hemingway hero is a man of action, a warrior and a tough competitor."(498)
             The old man, Santiago, may not look like the typical hero, but he is tough and refuses to give up. In spite of misfortune, the old man withholds the will to continue and the courage to try and overcome what is believed to be impossible. He sailed for 83 days without catching a fish. He never once gave up and believed that, "It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes, you are ready."(32) He also never took the town's gossip to heart. He kept on going no matter what they said about him. He showed that, "humility was not disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride."(14) Santiago's pride pressures him to travel dangerously far out into the sea, "beyond all people in the world," (50) to catch the marlin. Santiago is a man of triumph who never gives up.
             Santiago is not like the typical heroes that we see on television. He in not strong on the outside, he is strong from within. According to society, he is defeated and lost his outer strength, but when the Manolin asks: "Are you strong enough for a truly big fish," the old man answers: "I think so."(76) The marlin is strong, weighs over 1500 pounds, and is determined to get away. Santiago struggles with it until his "hands are cut and bleeding."(95) His courage is reflected in his words to the fish: "I'll stay with you until I am dead."(54) I
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