The Old Man and the Sea

What does Santiago think of God?

Is this a correct(Biblical)view?Why or why not?

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God is a part of Santiago's life; Santiago certainly asks God for help in catching the fish, he prays that the fish will take the bait, he makes promises to say his "Hail Mary's," and when it comes to the marlin's ability destroy the boat he says, "...Thank God, they are not as intelligent as we who kill them; although they are more noble and more able." But more than this, it seems that Hemmingway wrote the novella itself as a Christian allegory rather than to give Santiago any overwhelming Christian traits.

As an allegory, The Old Man and the Sea, has been looked at in a million different ways.

Gradesaver; Santiago as Christ

Manolin has an almost religious devotion to Santiago, underscored when Manolin begs Santiago's pardon for his not fishing with the old man anymore. Manolin says, "It was Papa made me leave. I am a boy and I must obey him," to which Santiago replies, "I know... It is quite normal. He hasn't much faith" (10). Manolin's father forced his son to switch to a more successful boat after 40 days had passed without a catch for Santiago; this is the amount of time Jesus wandered in the desert, tempted by Satan.

Just as Christ resisted the temptation of the devil, Santiago resists the temptation of giving in to his exhaustion as he battles the marlin. "It was a great temptation to rest in the bow and let the fish make one circle by himself without recovering any line." But he is committed to beating the fish, to proving his strength is more steadfast, thinking, "He'll be up soon and I can last. You have to last. Don't even speak of it."

Sparknotes; Crucifixion Imagery

"In order to suggest the profundity of the old man’s sacrifice and the glory that derives from it, Hemingway purposefully likens Santiago to Christ, who, according to Christian theology, gave his life for the greater glory of humankind. Crucifixion imagery is the most noticeable way in which Hemingway creates the symbolic parallel between Santiago and Christ. When Santiago’s palms are first cut by his fishing line, the reader cannot help but think of Christ suffering his stigmata. Later, when the sharks arrive, Hemingway portrays the old man as a crucified martyr, saying that he makes a noise similar to that of a man having nails driven through his hands. Furthermore, the image of the old man struggling up the hill with his mast across his shoulders recalls Christ’s march toward Calvary. Even the position in which Santiago collapses on his bed—face down with his arms out straight and the palms of his hands up—brings to mind the image of Christ suffering on the cross. Hemingway employs these images in the final pages of the novella in order to link Santiago to Christ, who exemplified transcendence by turning loss into gain, defeat into triumph, and even death into renewed life."

These are just a few........ but I don't think you're looking for symbolism here........ I think you're looking at Santiago's "religiousness" rather than religious themes. Can you clarify as to what you mean by "correct Biblical view?'

Source(s)

The Old Man and the Sea/ Other sources listed above