Santiago's Controversy

In the novel The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago at times has a clear view of his self-respect and strength but in other times he is doubtful. At times he is confident with his doings but other times he is doubtful. He has self-conflicts when he is struggling with the fish and also when he was on the terrace when he is talking to Manolin. He tells Manolin he can’t come or help him. He tells Manolin that he is with a lucky boat and not to waste his time with him. He is confident when he is fighting the sharks. While he is struggling with the fish, he is doubtful that he will be able to reel it in. In the novel, Santiago says, “Fish you are going to die anyways. Do you have to kill me too?” (Hemingway 92.) This shows he is doubting himself about pulling in the big catch. He wants to catch the fish but at this time in the struggle he really doesn’t know. Once he starts cramping, getting hungry, and is just plain fatigued, he struggles to grasp the fact that this is his fish and he is going to catch it. He wants to show he is not Salao and is not too old to be a good fisherman. Once he catches him he is happy but know has to make it back home.

Before Santiago goes fishing on that 84th day, Manolin is trying to help him, telling him he would get him bait and sardines to eat on the trip. Manolin also says he will go with him to help. Santiago says no because Manolin’s parents don’t want him to go fishing with Santiago. They think Santiago is Salao or unlucky due to not catching a fish in 84 days. Santiago doesn’t want the boy to have to waste his time helping an old man who can’t even catch a fish. Santiago is doubtful that he will ever catch a fish again. Santiago gives in and lets the boy get him bait and dinner. In the end of the novel Santiago lets Manolin come fishing with him