Santiago as the Epitome of Code Heroes in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
When pondering the daunting uncertainties of life, a man can only be sure that it will ultimately end in failure, for death awaits him at his journey’s end. Moreover, the evil and loss that run rampant in the world fill his voyage with pain-threatening to strip him of his resolve. His ability to become at peace with his mortality and cope with his strife lies in his determination and wisdom. A man who can recognize his place in nature, lift himself up after all of his energy has been spent, and maintain a firm grip on his convictions even when fierce opposition attempts to pry them from him has the potential to achieve true success and become a code hero Ernest Hemingway captures these characteristics in Santiago, the protagonist of the novella The Old Man and the Sea Santiago displays unwavering grace despite extreme pressure, carries a continuous desire to prove himself, and bears a strength of will that knows no bounds; he incarnates the qualities of a code hero.
Throughout his life, an individual faces trials that test his endurance However, an honorable man faces these obstacles with tenacity and understands that he must bear the burden of his journey without any help. A code hero uses his ability to persevere even when the onerous weight of adversity attempts to break him as the barometer with which he measures his self-worth. Santiago embodies this idea of bravery and grit Despite eighty-four fruitless days of fishing and the weariness that comes with old age, he refuses to accept defeat. He continues the laborious process of carrying his equipment and setting sail. Undeterred by physical as well as mental exhaustion and excruciating pain, Santiago fights a lengthy battle against the immense power of marlin in order to obtain his boon Santiago’s repeated use of the statement, “I’ll stay with you until I am dead,” illustrates his absolute devotion to capturing the marlin even if this pursuit requires him to make the ultimate sacrifice, for he views death not as a defect but as a rite of manhood.
Further, his determination extends beyond the acquisition of the marlin; he struggles intensely against numerous savage sharks in order to protect his treasure. His willingness to pursue his passion in spite of past failure and the persistence he demonstrates during his encounter with the sharks and the marlin exemplifies Santiago‘s similarity to a code hero, When seeking to determine an individual’s character, one must consider not only his capacity to withstand hardship but also the way he conducts himself during his battles, People who lack self—discipline find themselves ill equipped to cope with the problems of their lives. As a result, they render themselves susceptible to self-pity and panic. On the other side of the spectrum, a code hero has the acumen to maintain his honor and carry out his duties with grace.
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In the face of savage sharks and bitter agony, Santiago views every situation with the same equanimity. Because he knows the value of a clear mind, Santiago casts aside his discomfort and emotions. On numerous occasions, he verbally dismisses his pain, reminding himself to “Know how to suffer like a man,”. His serenity stems from his humility and awareness of his capabilities, which allow him to be pragmatic in a series of confrontations with ravenous sharks. Even when left with little means of protection, Santiago refuses to dwell on the desperation of his circumstances Instead, he forces himself to “think of what you can do with what there is.” His patience and self-control provide Santiago with the internal tools he needs to display true courage and maintain grace under pressure.
On the occasions when an individual‘s dedication and dignity lead him to victory or his weaknesses cause him to fail, his views on success and defeat serve as major indicators of his personality, Most people use one-time success to override future failures or allow one failure to hinder future success. However, a code hero constantly seeks to prove his manhood no matter what result the efforts of the past yielded. Rather than allowing his past victories to give him arrogance, Santiago remains humble because of his awareness that humility “was not disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride” . His reaction to his triumphs during his hand-wrestling matches reflects Santiago’s beliefs on establishing one‘s competence.
He denies his past victories influence to affect his present performance; he feels that “Each time was a new time and he never thought about the past.” Accordingly, he holds the same view about defeat Despite months of frustratingly futile fishing, Santiago still continues to board his skiff every morning in order to prove his skill to the other fishermen and himself because in his eyes “The thousand times he had proved it meant nothing.” No matter how difficult the situation, Santiago inhibits both his dismay and his ego from getting the better of him and powers through any obstacle Even in the brooding face of adversity, Santiago maintains his composure and handles the situation at hand with grace and a willingness to utilize every fiber of his being to get the job done. Santiago’s strength of character and infinite patience allows him to approach any situation, no matter how taxing, with poise, yet his humility and pride compel him to constantly prove his manhood to others. Through his descriptions of Santiago’s droughts and actions, Hemmingway paints Santiago as the epitome of code hero.
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Santiago as the Epitome of Code Heroes in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. (2023, Apr 24). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/santiago-as-the-epitome-of-code-heroes-in-the-old-man-and-the-sea-by-ernest-hemingway/
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