GradeSaver(TM) ClassicNotes: The Old Man and the Sea
Home : The Old Man and the Sea : Questions & Answers

The Old Man and the Sea Questions & Answers

by Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea was published 1952 after the bleakest ten years in Hemingway's literary career. His last major work, Across the River and into the Trees, was condemned as unintentional self-parody, and people began to think that Hemingway had exhausted his store of ideas.

Santiago's story was…

Ask a Question

Ask a question and get answers from your fellow students and educators.

Ask a Question

Questions about The Old Man and the Sea

 
In The Old Man and Sea, What is the man dreaming of? Why is this significant?
Posted by jamiesha d #260531
Last updated by: Aslan on Aug 02, 2012 10:54 AM
Answers: 1
 
what is hemingways diction in the old man and the sea
Posted by hannahhilda h #166993
Last updated by: kabirat i #260493 on Aug 02, 2012 4:37 AM
Answers: 2
 
hemingway uses the marlin and the shovel-nosed sharks as symbols what do the sharks symbolize?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 31, 2012 6:25 PM
Answers: 1
 
relate the characteristics of the five plot elements: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution to the story
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 31, 2012 6:20 PM
Answers: 1
 
what changes in manolin show that he is a dynamic character?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 31, 2012 6:14 PM
Answers: 1
 
santiagos one character flaw is being too prideful or "hubris" in what sense is santiago a tragic hero?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 31, 2012 6:07 PM
Answers: 3
 
what is the point of having the tourists on the terrace believe the skeleton of santiagos fish is a shark?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 6:01 PM
Answers: 2
 
throughout the last part of the book the boy cries several times why?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 5:55 PM
Answers: 1
 
Santiago carries the mast up the hill after landing in the village explain the allusion in the way hemingway describes the old mans difficulties in doing this
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 5:47 PM
Answers: 1
 
Santiago refers to the distance he sailed to catch the fish as being "too far" is this a sign of pride
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 5:26 PM
Answers: 1
 
so far in the story, what has been suggestive of santiago as a christ figure
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 31, 2012 5:18 PM
Answers: 2
 
Santiago repeats that it was too good to last, and he wishes it had been a dream he concludes "but man is not made for defeat a man can be destroyed but not defeated" explain what this quote means is terms of life and this story
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 5:04 PM
Answers: 2
 
what does santiago feel about the shark attack
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 4:46 PM
Answers: 1
 
in what way does the shark attack come as a shock to the reader
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 3:59 PM
Answers: 1
 
Santiago again expresses his concept of oneness with the fish, after he has killed it, lashed itto the skiff and is heading toward land whatt does the old man athink
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 31, 2012 3:46 PM
Answers: 1
 
Show how each of the following themes is shown in the novel. In your response, allude to specific parts of the novel, citing page numbers in Parentheses.
Posted by brooke m #260201
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 6:32 PM
Answers: 1
 
the motif of joe dimaggio and a bone spur comes up again what might bone spurs be symbolic of?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 30, 2012 3:57 PM
Answers: 2
 
how does the story about the contest in the casablanca bar add to the credibility of the main plot?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 3:18 PM
Answers: 1
 
The religious element of the book begins with santiago reciting the catholig "hail mary prayer" he adds a prayer that mary kill the fish. why do you think this is unusual?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 3:12 PM
Answers: 1
 
The narrarator says " He (santiago) took his suffering as it came" How long had the battle been going on and why did santiago not just cut the line and put an end to the suffering and hardship?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:58 PM
Answers: 1
 
What simile does Hemingway use to describe Santiagos left hand after it cramps?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:53 PM
Answers: 2
 
Why is it so difficult for Santiago to fight this fish? With what words of praise does he speak of these big fish?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:40 PM
Answers: 1
 
Santiago "knew no man was ever alone on the sea" how does this thought fit the context of the story?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:34 PM
Answers: 1
 
to what does Santiago talk while fighting the fish?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:27 PM
Answers: 1
 
What does the big fish do after he take the bait? Why does Santiago keep the line across his shoulder rather than tie it to the boat?
Posted by meg d #260167
Last updated by: Aslan on Jul 30, 2012 2:22 PM
Answers: 1
 

Join for free to ask a question.

Existing Users

Forgot your password? Click here.

New Users

Must contain six characters and at least one digit.

The Old Man and the Sea Essays and Related Content