Obstacles by Lindsay B.

In Earnest Hemingway’s, The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist, Santiago, is up against many challenges. Some he overcame, others he didn’t. Either way, without the obstacles in the story, it would have been much less interesting and the plot would have been very weak. Santiago faces the facts that he is very old and his body isn’t what it used to be, he is trying to catch a 1500 pound fish in the middle of the ocean, miles away from home, and lastly, Santiago is alone, without any help or anyone to let him take a break to rest.

Santiago is an eighty-five year old man trying to catch a fish after a streak of bad luck that lasted 84 days. Although Santiago is in good shape, he can’t help the fact that his hands cramp up, he hasn’t had any sleep, and has very little food and the food he does have, he has caught with his bare hands. You can’t blame the guy for being tired. “‘You’re feeling it now, fish,’ [Santiago] said. ‘And so, God knows, am I.’” (56). Santiago’s age is a huge factor that affects whether or not he successfully catches the fish.

As time is slowly passing, Santiago became more and more aware of the fact that he was trying to reel in the largest fish he had ever attempted to capture. Even though Santiago respects and feels sympathy for the mighty marlin, he is determined to kill it. “Then [Santiago] began to pity the great fish that he had hooked. He is wonderful and strange and who knows how old he is, he thought. Never have I had such a strong fish nor one who acted so strangely.” (48). The immense size of the fish is probably the most evident blockade for Santiago. The marlin has the brains and the brawns to out smart Santiago.

As Santiago encounters more and more challenges, he also has to deal with the problem of being alone. Not only does that make it harder to actually catch the fish, but it also leads to partial insanity. Santiago would do almost anything to talk to someone. He tries to confide in a bird, “[Santiago] looked around for the bird now because he would have liked him for company. The bird was gone.” (56). He often has conversations with himself, “‘I wish the boy were here and that I had some salt,’ he said aloud.” (56). He was so desperate for a chat; he even tried to communicate with his hand. “‘How do you feel, hand?’ he asked the cramped hand that was as stiff as rigor mortis. ‘I’ll eat some more for you.’” (58-59). Santiago is on his own for four days at sea and has clearly begun to lose his mind.

After Santiago’s final venture out to sea, he is happy to be home. Even if he is empty handed, Santiago walked away from that experience with a lot more than he had expected to. Having caught the marlin was the best feat he could ask for before he lay down for his long sleep. Santiago stood by that fish until there was nothing left of it. Santiago is a true fisherman.