Significance of dreams in the novel

Q1: write a note on the old man’s dreams.
Q2: what is the importance of dream in the novel?
Q3: why does the old man dream of the lions and yellow beaches?
Q4: what do the dreams of lions indicate?
Ans : Dreams play vital role in life of the old man, Santiago. They are
source of pleasure, satisfaction and courage in the face of adverse
circumstances. They are oasis in the deserts and give a ray of hope to the
traveler like Santiago. So he sees loins and golden beaches in his dreams. The
moment he is asleep, he is transported to Africa in dreams. He dreams of places,
loins and high capes. He enjoys the loins playing like young cats and finds
himself a boy there. The old man derives youth and strength by dreaming of the
boy and loins.
On the second night of his heroic fight with the marlin, he falls asleep, and
dreams of loins. He dreams of the long yellow beaches and loins coming down.
The old man longs for his youth and happiness under pressure and painful
struggle, even in the end of the novel, the old man dreams about the loins
during his exhausted sleep. Despite the loss of big fish, Santiago still retains his
confidence, steadfastness and resolution. He finds himself apt to fight against
hardships of life.
Thus the old man dreams about the golden beaches, high mountains and
the white peaks of island. They also symbolize his desire for unlimited power,
pelf and strength. The novelist also shows his deep insight into human
psychology. He keeps into the old man’s mind and surfaces the inner forces and
desires working there.

Muhammad Sohail Arif