Aside

A motif is a literary device used to develop the major theme of a novel. Literary symbols are objects or characters used to represent ideas or concepts.

There are several symbols and motifs developed in Old Man and the Sea. Write an essay on the following prompt, explain the meaning of the symbol or motif and discuss its significance within the novel.

The marlin and the sharks

Writing Reminders:
Develop a multiparagraph response that clearly communicates a thesis statement.
Support your thesis with meaningful examples from the text or prior knowledge.
Organize your essay logically with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Use well-constructed sentences and appropriate language for your audience.
Proofread for coherency and edit for conventions.

The marlin represented strength, beauty and dedication while the sharks represented hunger, selfishness and relentless destruction. The marlin had a “sleek,massive beautiful body” and went on even when it was almost dead. Santiago almost died when it had been caught and the line zipped and was pulled tight, causing Santiago to almost go over, and being eaten by sharks. Then, it pulled the whole ship, causing it to lurch forward and be steadily pulled out to sea. When Santiago killed the marlin even though it had showed strength and desperation for, he was more desperate than the fish. Once Santiago killed the marlin the sharks came because he went inland, into shark territory. Santiago was fighting off the sharks but they had still destroyed the beautiful marlin and would fight over their food.