Sponsors

Egan Maritime Foundation
Maria Mitchell Association
Nantucket Atheneum
Nantucket Boys & Girls Club
Nantucket Conservation Foundation
Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nantucket Council On Aging
Nantucket Historical Association
Nantucket Life Saving Museum
Nantucket Preservation Trust
Nantucket Public Schools
WNAN Public Broadcasting

Underwriters

Tupancy Harris Foundation
Friends of the Nantucket Public Schools

Discussion Questions

•  The Old Man And The Sea

  1. Describe Santiago’s characteristics. Does he fit into the traditional model of a hero with a tragic flaw
  2. Describe Manolin’s and Santiago’s relationship.
  3. What role does Joe DeMaggio or the role of the arm wrestler or the dreams of the lions play in our understanding of Santiago?.
  4. How are Santiago and the marlin connected -- physically and metaphorically?
  5. “The fish is my friend too, he said aloud. I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try and kill the stars. Imagine if each day a man must try and kill the moon, he thought. The moon runs away but imagine if a man each day should have to try and kill the sun. We were born lucky.”  Pg. 75. Who are the true opponents in this story?
  6. What is the role of fate or chance in one’s life?
  7. How does Hemmingway allude to sacrifice and suffering in the book? What parallels between Christ and Santiago?
  8. Is this just a story about a long fishing trip or is there more to this story?  
  9. Is one’s relationship against nature or within nature? Discuss your relationship with the sea around Nantucket.