The Old Man and the Sea was written after a ten-year hiatus of public and critical approval. This period saw much of his work receive negative criticism in literary and journalistic circles. Therefore, Hemingway s personal battle with seeming failure in his life s work and society s attendant criticism parallel Santiago s stoic resolve in the face of his neighbors disdain. The author s struggles symbolically match those of Santiago and set the stage for the writing of this novel. The acclaim generated by this book was due largely to the author s complex knotting of spiritual and physical concerns.
Many critics refer to the Christian symbolism in the book, and rightfully so.
The mast Santiago carries resembles a cross and his apparent suffering is likened to Jesus . These are definitely not the thoughts of a devout Christian. His religious thoughts and prayers are a mere augmentation of his subconscious resolve and determination to choose a positive outlook at every turn. Clearly, his inner dialogue illustrates these qualities. Some supporting words and concepts regarding Santiago s happiness, however, will be briefly touched on here.