Santiago as a code hero

Q1: Discus Santiago as code hero.
Q2: What are the qualities of Santiago which impress you the most?
Q3: Write a note on the moral values of the old man.
Throughout the novel, “The old man and the sea” Santiago is given heroic
proportion. Santiago is Hemingway’s code hero who illustrates the values of
life. Santiago exhibits what Hemingway cherished and glorified. Despite being
losing, wins a victory.
The code hero is usually an old and experienced man. He has become
what he had to become. In human life and experience there are many forms of
both marlin and sharks. Much is to be endured and perhaps relatively little is to
be enjoyed. Life may prove to be a tragedy but consciousness of heroism
enables a man to face the despair. From this point of view, Santiago attains the
moral stature of Hamlet, King, Abigail, Tess and other tragic heroes in literature.
Santiago is a hero of his own kind. The boy Manolin calls him the best
fisherman. Santiago calls himself a strange old man with strength, tricks and
resolution to catch the big fish. He sets the standards of behavior for others to
follow. He dares to expose himself to greater danger of defeat and death. He
struggles with the marlin honorably. Despite his old age, hunger, cramps,
wounds, fatigue and dangers to lose the big fish, he does not sit idle. He defends
the marlin against the sharks courageously, he speaks the memorable words, “a
man can be destroyed but not be defeated.” We see him at the end of the story
returning home, completely destroyed, tired and broken with only a mourning
skeleton of the fish. But spiritually he remains alive and plans with the boy for
future adventures. Thus, he sets the code of conduct and ethics for other to
follow.

Muhammad Sohail Arif