The Old Man and the Sea: What techniques does the author use to engage the audience and make the story effective? Give examples to support your analysis (mystery, humor, symbolism, suspense, etc.).

Hemingway uses a variety of techniques to engage readers. Overall, though, I thought that the book itself was quite slow and very carefully written. This book wasn’t one of those action or mystery books that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Hemingway never meant it to be that way. I think he originally wrote it because he wanted us to get something out of it, like a lesson. I don’t believe he wrote it to entertain readers exactly, but mainly to teach readers something.

Hemingway uses suspense, some action, and many details to engage readers. The suspense in the book is built up throughout the story. After Santiago goes out to sea to catch some fish, he snags the Marlin after several days and ends up having to hold on to it as it pulls his boat. (Hemingway pg. 41) During this time, Santiago is in a lot of pain, and he’s hungry and thirsty. He really wants to have the strength to pull the Marlin out, but the Marlin is still so full of strength that he can’t. SO he waits patiently on the boat for the Marlin to run out of strength before he does. The suspense builds here because readers are waiting for that moment when Santiago kills the Marlin and takes him home. Readers want to read that Santiago bravely kills the Marlin, then brings it home and receives money and fame for his catch. We WANT him to catch his fish, and Hemingway makes the readers wait a bit, and builds up the suspense of Santiago’s catch.

Hemingway also uses some action in his book. Though the action is only near the end, he uses it too hook readers on to the story, you know, finish with a ‘bang’. This action is also surrounded by suspense, because wherever there is action, there must be suspense too. The point of action begins after Santiago has finally killed the Marlin and safely tied it to his skiff. Readers, at this point, are happy for Santiago, and are waiting for him to take it home.  But Hemingway adds his action here. The Marlin, having being killed, leaks blood as Santiago travels, and anywhere there is blood, there are also sharks. The sharks begin to attack Santiago’s Marlin. (Hemingway pg. 100) At this time, readers know that Santiago is only an old man, and that he is alone with no one to help him. There is no way he can fight off all the sharks that will come. He says, “I cannot keep him from hitting me, but maybe I can hit him.” (Hemingway pg.101) And Santiago begins to fight them on his own. This is where all the action is! Santiago beats them off and each time they take away parts of his Marlin. At night, more come, and Santiago has to fight them in the dark. Suspense builds because readers want to know if he’s going to be able to keep it up, or if he’s going to get hurt.

 

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