The Old Man and the Sea. Santiago follows the Hemingway code of behavior, therefore emphasizing and supporting the theme, Dignity belongs to the conquered.

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Tahir Yusufaly

11-9-02

Language Arts – Period 4

Santiago’s “Code of Behavior” Exemplifying “Dignity Belongs to the Conquered.”

Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest American writers of all time, is known to write of his main characters having a “code of behavior.” The two main parts of this ‘code’ are to never give up, and to be humble and respectful of others. One of Hemingway’s novels, The Old Man and the Sea, consists of an old Cuban fisherman named Santiago going out to sea, catching a gigantic thirty-foot marlin, but eventually losing it to the sharks. Santiago follows the Hemingway “code of behavior,” therefore emphasizing and supporting the theme, “Dignity belongs to the conquered.”

Santiago’s respectfulness is an example of Hemingway’s “code of behavior.” For instance, during the second day of his tenure with the marlin, Santiago thinks to himself, “How many people will he (the marlin) feed…are they worthy to eat him…? No, of course not. There is no one worthy of eating him from…his behaviour…his great dignity” (Hemingway, 75). Although he is attempting to kill the marlin, it is obvious from the way Santiago speaks that he still has a lot of admiration for the fish. This pride in one’s task but respect of the opponent is one of the primary components of Hemingway’s “code of behavior.” Furthermore, when Santiago has used up all of his weapons in attempts to defeat the sharks, he says in his mind, “Now it is over. They will probably hit me again. But what can a man do….without a weapon?” (117). Santiago holds the sharks’ power in high regard because he believes that without his weapons, their strength is too much for him to handle. The respect for the enemy that Santiago possesses is a major part of the “code of behavior” of Ernest Hemingway. As a result, Santiago is the prototypical Hemingway main character because of his respect for others.

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Within the “code of behavior” is a code of honor that Santiago illustrates. For example, when Santiago’s left hand is cramped because he is forced to carry the load of the fishing line to his left shoulder, he simply tells the hand, “Cramp then if you want. Make yourself into a claw. It will do you no good” (58). Santiago does not let go of the fishing line to ease his pain because he cannot bear to forfeit his battle with the marlin. This determination to never give up is an indication of Hemingway’s code of honor. Also, when Santiago ...

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