In this video, I’ll summarize the plot of The Old Man and the Sea in about four minutes and give you an analysis of the story.
1. The Old Man’s Struggles
Santiago, an aging fisherman in Cuba, has gone 84 days without catching a fish. His young apprentice, Manolin, deeply admires him but has been forced by his parents to fish with more successful fishermen. Despite his streak of bad luck, Santiago remains determined to prove himself. Manolin still visits him, bringing food and discussing baseball, particularly Santiago’s idol, Joe DiMaggio. With renewed determination, Santiago sets out alone on the 85th day, venturing far beyond the other fishermen in search of a great catch.
2. The Marlin Takes the Bait
On this day, Santiago hooks a massive marlin, the largest he has ever encountered. The fish is so strong that it begins pulling his skiff, dragging him farther into the deep sea. Unable to reel it in, Santiago grips the line tightly, enduring pain and exhaustion as the marlin pulls him for two days and nights. He admires the fish’s strength and beauty, seeing it as a worthy adversary rather than just a prize. As he battles the marlin, he reflects on his own life, his past successes, and his place in the natural world.
3. The Hard-Won Victory
On the third day, the marlin begins to tire, and Santiago finally pulls it close enough to harpoon it. He lashes the enormous fish to the side of his skiff, exhausted but triumphant. However, he is far from shore, and he knows that the real challenge has only begun. As he sails home, Santiago feels a mix of pride and sadness, recognizing that his connection to the marlin was more than just that of a hunter to his prey.
4. The Shark Attacks
As Santiago struggles to return home, the marlin’s blood attracts sharks. A mako shark attacks first, taking a large chunk of the fish. Santiago fights back, killing it with his harpoon, but in the process, he loses his weapon. More sharks arrive, and he is forced to use a club and a makeshift spear to defend his catch. Despite his efforts, the sharks continue to devour the marlin until only its skeleton remains. Santiago, exhausted and defeated, knows he has lost the battle against nature’s inevitable forces.
5. Return to Shore
By the time Santiago reaches the shore, nothing remains of the marlin but its massive skeleton. He stumbles back to his hut, too exhausted to speak to Manolin, and falls into a deep sleep. The next morning, villagers marvel at the skeleton, measuring over 18 feet long, proof of Santiago’s incredible struggle. Manolin, heartbroken by Santiago’s suffering, promises to fish with him again. As Santiago sleeps, he dreams of lions on African beaches, a memory from his youth that symbolizes strength, endurance, and lost greatness.
Theme 1: The Human Spirit
Santiago’s battle with the marlin and the sharks reflects the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite his old age and streak of bad luck, he refuses to give up, proving that true success is found in effort rather than outcome. His battle with the marlin is not just about survival but about proving his own resilience and dignity. Even when the sharks take his prize, his determination remains unbroken. Hemingway presents Santiago as a symbol of the human spirit—unwavering, determined, and willing to fight, no matter the odds.
Theme 2: Pride and Defeat
Santiago’s pride drives him to go farther than other fishermen and to fight a battle he knows may destroy him. While his victory over the marlin is a testament to his skill, his pride also leads to his eventual downfall, as he ventures too far and loses the fish to forces beyond his control. However, Hemingway suggests that defeat does not erase the value of the struggle. Though Santiago returns with nothing material, he retains his personal honor, and the respect he earns from Manolin and the villagers reinforces that true worth is not measured by external success but by the strength of one’s character.