By Max H.

In The Old Man and the Sea, there are many choices that Santiago must make that affect the outcome of his battle with the great marlin and ultimately his life. When Santiago chooses to stay with the fish and continue deep into the sea he is weakened and clearly out of his league, being so ill supplied. After making his decision, Santiago soon runs short of food and must catch multiple smaller fish to stay alive and competing with the marlin. The old man becomes weak and tired from so many days out on the sea, and fears the possibility that he’ll fall into a state of madness. Santiago is also physically disadvantaged after staying out on the sea for so long when he is cut by the fishing line and his hands betray him by “no longer working”.

Santiago is first affected by his choice to stay with the fish when his food is all eaten. Knowing he will become incredibly weak, loose his amazing fish, and eventually die of starvation, Santiago looks to catch smaller fish to eat. The old man clearly shows his desperation for food and his incredible tiredness when he says aloud to the marlin, “You’re feeling it now fish, and so, God knows, am I” (56). This quote explains in as little words as possible that Santiago is being run down in his incessant battle with the fish, and needs as much energy as he can acquire.

Evidently, the old man faces great weakness and mental instability after his time on the sea. Santiago is aware of his critical state but knows he must continue if he wishes to live. Santiago explains his need for sleep and to overcome some of his weakness when he says to the fish “Now let me get through the eating of this s dolphin and get some rest and a little sleep” (79). This quote perfectly describes how the old man is literally asking the marlin for a small break, so he can later continue to fight the fish for his life.

One of the old man’s biggest problems after continuing out on the sea is the physical issues with his hands. Santiago has somewhat of a relationship with his hands in that he keeps them healthy and they stay strong and don’t betray him. His relation with his hands is shown in the quotes “Be patient hand, I do this for you” (59) and also, “How do you feel hand, I’ll eat some more for you” (58, 59). Santiago explains how he will soon eat so his hands can benefit from the food and keep themselves strong. Soon after the old man’s hand is cut by the fishing line, it also deceives him by cramping. He responds by scolding his hand in the quote, “What kind of hand is that, cramp then if you want. Make yourself into a claw. It will do you no good” (58).

Incontestably, Santiago’s decision to stay with the great marlin and travel far out into the sea affected his battle with the fish and his life. A shortage of food, weakness on the verge of madness, and physical disadvantages followed Santiago’s decision. The old man soon realized the consequences of his actions but had a ceaseless drive to beat the marlin in an unimaginable battle for life.