The Old Man and the Sea Discussion
English 10A, Ms. Christopher
In small groups, discuss the following topics:
1. Why is the title The Old Man AND the Sea, and not The Old Man AGAINST the Sea? Why does he love the sea?
2. What role does luck play in this book? What are the different shades of meaning Hemingway gives to luck? Look on pages 9, 13, 32, 75, 116-7, 125.
3. Identify examples of Christ as a symbol. What does this type of symbolism add to the novel?
4. If the fish is a symbol, what does it symbolize?
5. Are baseball and Joe DiMaggio symbols? If so, what do they represent?
6. What about the sea as a symbol?
7. Was Santiago ultimately triumphant or did he fail?
8. What are the old man's dreams? What do they mean?
9. Hemingway might have written this as a much longer novel -- from Santiago's early childhood to death. What would have been lost or gained had he done this? He might have also written this as a short story, concentrating on the struggle with the fish. What would have been lost or gained?
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