Comment on the Christian elements in Hemingway’s The
Old Man and the Sea.
The Old Man and the
Sea is remarkable for its artistic portrayal, but it also suggests myriad
layers of meaning. It is a many faceted allegory and has been studied on
various levels. Cleanth Brooks evaluates
it from the point of view of Christian tradition. Christian allusion is
scattered throughout the novel. Hemingway has put a lot of Christian elements
in this novel. The very name of the protagonist ‘Santiago’’, a Spanish word,
literally means St. James, a disciple who was a fisherman but later in life he became a martyr and was canonized
as St. James. Santiago is a saintly person and he is also a teacher with two
Christian values- humanity and compassion. He taught the boy not only to fish
but also how to behave. We, over and above, notice throughout the voyage,
Santiago’s love for fellow creatures. This feeling of love and affection for
the fellow creatures is the feeling of brotherhood which is the key note of
Christianity.
In The Old Man and
the Sea Santiago shows certain qualities of mind and heart which are clearly
associated with the character and personality of Jesus Christ. Like Jesus
Santiago has the ability to ignore physical pain while concentrating on the
object which is to be achieved. The relationship between Santiago and the boy
merits our attention. They do value human relationship above material. The
relationship, according to some critics, is very much like that between Christ
and one of his disciples. Santiago’s actions and the descriptions of his
physical appearance show further resemblance with Christ .The old man’s stoic
suffering and endurance during his three –day test of strength in which he bore
the burden of the fish across his shoulders, may be compared with the suffering
of Christ on the cross.
