Symbolism in Ernest’s Hemingway The Old Man And The Sea

Abstract

This study targets the big question of symbolism in the masterpiece of Hemingway the old man and the sea. Statement of the problem in the study is concerned with the analysis of symbols used in Hemingway’s novel “The Old Man and the sea”. There are universal and individual symbols. I structured a framework to tackle the role of symbolism in the novel, and its importance in delivering the meaning, the questions of the study are: How did Ernest Hemingway use symbols to convey his hidden themes? What elements did Hemingway use as symbols in his novel “The Old Man and The Sea?” While hypothesis of the study are that Ernest Hemingway used symbols to convey his hidden messages, in the novel the old man and the sea Hemingway used many elements as symbols. The objective of this work is to explore the symbols used in the novel to decode these symbols and identify the various interpretations that they stand for. The significance of the study is to remedy the gap in the literature about symbolism and to shed light on Hemingway’s artistic use of symbols which helps students and readers of literature to have a better understanding of the literary work. The study adopted the descriptive analysis methodology to explore and depict the aspects and features of symbolism incarnated in the main characters. While the Findings of the study represent the following: the universal symbols are: “Sea” as a symbol of universe or life “Sun” as a symbol for a new beginning or a new life “Night” as a symbol for the end of life or the end of activity and “lion” as a symbol of strength. While individual symbols are: “The old man or Santiago” symbolizes the Optimist; “the boy or Manolin” symbolizes hope; “Joe Di Maggio” symbolizes strong Desire; “harpoon” Symbolizes skill, “bird” symbolizes help; “shark” symbolizes destructor; “Marlin” Symbolizes struggle.