The Old Man and the Sea

Suggest two reasons why the boy loves and admires Santiago.

Some of the younger village men make fun of Santiago, but he doesn’t mind. Why is this?

Locate a short scene or sentence in the story that describes plainly a person or event yet also implies a deeper meaning. Explain how the scene captures those two levels.

The marlin drags Santiago’s skiff far out into the ocean. What makes the fisherman so eager to follow the fish far from land, and why does he later regret doing so?

His hands sliced and bleeding, and his back aching and bruised, Santiago persists in trying to reel in the giant fish. Why doesn’t he simply give up and fish for something smaller?

The old man believes he made many mistakes during his attempt to catch the great marlin. Name two of them, and explain why they are mistakes.

Knowing he will lose the marlin to sharks, Santiago nevertheless fights them as hard as he can. Why does he persist in fighting when he cannot win?

Exhausted, Santiago walks back to his home, his sail and mast on his shoulder. He falls and sits awhile, then rises and continues. What does the fall represent, why does he sit awhile, and what does his getting back up symbolize?