The Old Man and the Sea: Tragic Hero with a Tragic Flaw
The Old Man and the Sea
In the novel “The Old Man and the Sea” the main character, Santiago is a tragic hero with a tragic flaw. His hubris ultimately leads him to triumph for a few reasons. Santiago’s hubris helps him to develop into a passionate, optimistic and determined individual, this is what ultimately helps lead him to his triumph.
Santiago was not only proud but he was also very passionate in fishing. This is evident in his statement, “I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.” (68). This quote is indirect however it displays Santiago’s passion. It is evident that Santiago’s passion for fishing derives from his long history of engaging in the activity as well as his desire to imitate his hero, The Great DiMaggio. Santiago has a strong desire to be like DiMaggio due to the fact that he is able to remain passionate and successful in his baseball career despite that he is suffering from a painful heel spur. Santiago’s passion helps him because this passion is accompanied with determination and this in itself ultimately helps lead to Santiago’s triumph.
Santiago’s desire to imitate The Great DiMaggio leads Santiago to develop determination within himself, and this determination is similar to that of The Great Dimaggio. Santiago's determination is shown through this quote “It encouraged him to talk because his back had stiffened in the night and it hurt truly now.” (55). This proves that Santiago is determined because he has been hunting the same fish for days now and although this trip takes all his strength, he is able to push through it. Santiago’s endurance and perseverance is also displayed in this quote “His left hand was still as tight as the gripped claws of an eagle. It will uncramp though, he thought, surely it will uncramp to help my right hand... it must uncramp” (64). Here it becomes evident that Santiago is determined because he has to fight through the pain in order to
In the novel “The Old Man and the Sea” the main character, Santiago is a tragic hero with a tragic flaw. His hubris ultimately leads him to triumph for a few reasons. Santiago’s hubris helps him to develop into a passionate, optimistic and determined individual, this is what ultimately helps lead him to his triumph.
Santiago was not only proud but he was also very passionate in fishing. This is evident in his statement, “I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.” (68). This quote is indirect however it displays Santiago’s passion. It is evident that Santiago’s passion for fishing derives from his long history of engaging in the activity as well as his desire to imitate his hero, The Great DiMaggio. Santiago has a strong desire to be like DiMaggio due to the fact that he is able to remain passionate and successful in his baseball career despite that he is suffering from a painful heel spur. Santiago’s passion helps him because this passion is accompanied with determination and this in itself ultimately helps lead to Santiago’s triumph.
Santiago’s desire to imitate The Great DiMaggio leads Santiago to develop determination within himself, and this determination is similar to that of The Great Dimaggio. Santiago's determination is shown through this quote “It encouraged him to talk because his back had stiffened in the night and it hurt truly now.” (55). This proves that Santiago is determined because he has been hunting the same fish for days now and although this trip takes all his strength, he is able to push through it. Santiago’s endurance and perseverance is also displayed in this quote “His left hand was still as tight as the gripped claws of an eagle. It will uncramp though, he thought, surely it will uncramp to help my right hand... it must uncramp” (64). Here it becomes evident that Santiago is determined because he has to fight through the pain in order to