A lesson in Isolation in The Old Man and the Sea

Though the old man does have one friend, Manolin, we get the strong impression that throughout the book Santiago is isolated and alienated from the rest of society. He lives alone in his little shack with a picture of his deceased wife that he can’t bare to look at (Hemingway, pg. 16), and because of his economic hardship, he doesn’t have a lot to eat and barely a bed to sleep on. Because of his 84 day streak without catching a single fish, he is made fun of and pitied by other fishermen, and isn’t close to anyone but the boy, his skiff, and the Sea. Though he didn’t get angry back at fishermen (Hemingway pg. 11), you can tell that over time things like that can really bother a person.  From the very beginning, Santiago looks like a very lonely and isolated person who doesn’t really fit in anywhere. Most people would find this as a hardship, but Santiago keeps a very clear head and optimistic attitude throughout the story. While reading, I came to the conclusion that you are only isolated if you think you are isolated. It’s a perspective. Santiago, though clearly isolated, doesn’t see that he really is.  At sea he thinks that you are really never alone and in truth, you really aren’t. In fact, Santiago clearly doesn’t seem bothered by the isolation that much, because he chooses to go out to sea, knowing that he will be isolated from land and from people like the boy.  The only time I believe the isolation starts to get to him is when he realizes how much he wishes he had the boy, and when he begins talking to himself in order to not feel as lonely. But even then, he seems quite humorous about this fact. “If others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy,” He said aloud. “But since I am not crazy, I do not care.” (Hemingway, pg. 39) He even admits that when he had the boy, they didn’t talk unless it was necessary, so he is used to the silence anyway. (Hemingway, pg. 39) Santiago is not bothered by this isolation, which is why I believe that this book also teachers readers that isolation is a point of view and a perspective. You can choose to feel isolated, or you cannot. It is up to you, and you can choose how to view it.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.