The Old Man and the Sea: Techniques

In writing The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway used several techniques to engage the reader.  Mystery was used a little bit, beginning when the narrator says that Santiago’s dreams were of lions on the beaches of Africa.  This makes the reader wonder why Santiago had been in Africa and why he liked the lions so much, but he is never descriptive on the subject.  The next mystery while the old man is fishing is “How big is the fish?” and “Will he end up killing the fish or will the fish kill him?”.  The answer to these questions is unknown to Santiago, and thus the reader, for several days.  While it was suspected that the fish was big, no one knew how big it really was.  

            Humor is also used to a certain extent in this book.  Personally, I found it amusing how the old man would talk to himself, answer himself, give himself orders, talk to the fish, and apologize for killing it after calling it his “brother” (Hemmingway 23).  This shows how when by themselves long enough, people can act a little crazy.  Santiago defended his actions by saying that, “If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy,” he said aloud. “But since I am not crazy, I do not care. And the rich have radios to talk to them in their boats and to bring them the baseball.” (Hemmingway 14)   The story would have been much less interesting if Santiago had not done any of the talking.  Regardless, I still think that it is funny how he would talk in such ways. 

            Symbolism is a key technique used in the story.  The old man compares the turtles to himself.  The turtles’ heart does not stop beating until hours after it is butchered.  After it seems that hope is gone for Santiago, he still keeps fighting and survives.  The turtles, also like him, enjoy popping the bubbles of the Portuguese man-of-war (Hemmingway 12).  Another symbolism is the marlin, which the old man identifies himself with.  He says that both him and the fish were desperate, thought it would be best to be in the deep water, had no help, hurt, calm, strong, confident, and strange for not being tired. 

            The final technique used is suspense.  One of the more suspenseful moments was when the old man had been venturing after the fish for several days and was feeling tired and faint.  Santiago may be strong, but no offense intended, who knew how many days he had left?  Another suspenseful scene is when shark after shark arrive for something to eat of the fish and Santiago tries his best to fight them off but is finally unable to. 

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.