Knowing nothing about baseball before reading the book, Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea can open a reader's eyes to the importance of this sport to the main character, Santiago. He is a struggling fishermen and baseball keeps him going despite the hardships he goes through. He frequently refers to this beloved sport and to a Yankees’ player, DiMaggio. Baseball is the old man’s moral courage. DiMaggio is a model for the old man, baseball keeps him going, and brings him a spirit of competition and youth. DiMaggio is a model to the old man. Despite the many obstacles he faces, DiMaggio is successful and never gives up. He faces bone spur but the agony does not prevent him from playing. Every time the old man faces a difficulty he always refers …show more content…
Baseball is not mentioned throughout the book because the old man experiences the feeling of competition when he catches the fish. It excites him and he feels the adrenaline flowing and is ready for the battle to come. He does not need memory to fulfill this feeling since he is living it. Baseball is a competition against another team, but in this case, it is the old man is against the fish. Now, every second matters if he wants to win over the fish. The pressure is on just like in a baseball game. Not only does it give the feeling an excitement but also faith,“Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio” ( Hemingway, p. 17). Losing faith in baseball would mean losing faith in himself. Santiago refers back to baseball because it gives him hope and thrill. Baseball is a happy place for Santiago. DiMaggio is his role model and the old man uses him to measure his earnings and experiences. He also represents a common man attaining out of the park achievements through perseverance and dedication. Baseball brings joy and excitement to his life and a reason to walk up every morning as well as to keep him going. Baseball may be just a sport, but some people take it to the heart and depend on it