Old Man's Adventurous Spirit example essay topic

What makes a hero? Alike with all other persons, Ernest Hemingway had his own perceptions of what a hero truly is. In Hemingway's novella, The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, the old man, attained characteristics that could depict him as an ideal "Hemingway Hero". Through the old man's adventurous spirit, his fearlessness of death, determination, and his independence, Santiago fits Hemingway's hero description. The old man, Santiago, acquires the qualities of an outdoorsman. Being an outdoorsman in Hemingway's views means that a person is a "manly man", a strong spirit.

Outdoorsman are adventurous people who in many cases enjoy such things as hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. Seeing as how "He [Santiago] was an old man who fished alone in the Gulf Stream" (9), Santiago could be described, in this aspect, as a Hemingway Hero. Along with being an outdoorsman, full of adventure, Santiago has another characteristic of not fearing death. This is an especially needed attribute for an outdoorsman.

Hemingway feels that fearing death shows weakness, and a hero is not a weak soul. A person who does not hide from death comprehends that fate will find its way and as long as life's still living, then live it as it comes. For instance, when battling the fish, Santiago maintains his mentality of "Come on and kill me. I do not care who kills who" (92). This is one example of how Santiago doesn't show his weakness. Santiago attains yet another attribute of the Hemingway Hero Code.

This quality is to play or fight and to do it to the best of one's ability-even if the person believes that they will be defeated. Whether the outcome of any situation appears as though it will end in victory or defeat, a person should battle with all the might given to them, until the outcome is proven. The old man had a great sense of this". 'Fish,' he said softly, aloud, 'I'll stay with you until I am dead,' " (52) shows the motivation and determination to remain in the game, even if it doesn't end until Santiago's death. Along with all of the above attributes, Santiago has another. The old man is a self-reliant and highly independent individual.

He relies on nobody other than himself. When conversing with another character in the novella, a young boy, Santiago simply says", 'But I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg' " (18). This statement shows diligence and humility.

This one statement reveals the old man's humble independence. There are some characteristics of Santiago that are opposite of Hemingway's Code -- his weak stature for instance. For the most part, the old man, beyond physicality, is an adventurer and enjoys fishing; he does not hide from death, and in fact, welcomes it. Santiago relies on only himself. Along with his unique humility, Santiago is also independent and determined. He never gave up.

Through all these attributes, it remains safe to say that the old man, Santiago, is a prime example of Hemingway's ideology of a true hero.