THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

By the end of this unit, students will be able to: analyze the differences between the novella and the short story; trace the development of the major themes presented—man can be destroyed but not defeated, pride and determination are the sources of greatness, a worthy opponent brings out the best in a warrior, fortune plays a significant role in one’s life, people should depend on themselves and not outside forces; trace the development of Manolin as a dynamic character; construct interpretations of motifs and symbols (e.g., Joe DiMaggio, crucifixion imagery, lions on the beach); analyze the extent to which The Old Man and the Sea reflects Hemingway’s life; explain the traditional Aristotelian model of tragedy and examine the character of Santiago as a twentieth-century tragic hero; analyze how the omniscient viewpoint works in The Old Man and the Sea; examine literary conflicts as well as their resolution; interpret The Old Man and the Sea as a parable; analyze Hemingway’s choice of allusions and explain why they work; and examine Hemingway’s style on tone, mood, and theme. 48 pages. ©2008.