Examples Of Code Heroes Hemingway

“It takes courage to deal with failures. It takes courage to admit when you are wrong” (R Dooley). Santiago is an older fisherman who refuses to give up on his own, old-fashioned way of fishing. While many fishermen depend on the use of advanced equipment and new inventions to catch more fish, Santiago relies on his own ability and skill. This generation of fishermen fish for profit, while Santiago fishes for enjoyment. Being a fisherman is more than his livelihood, it is his passion. Santiago is an estranged man, his wife is dead and he does not have children. His only friend is a young boy named Manolin, who is like a son to him. After 40 days of not making any catches Manolin’s parents tell him to fish on a boat with different fishermen because Santiago is unlucky.
Although 84 days have passed without Santiago catching any fish he does not stop fishing and eventually he catches an 18 foot marlin that put up a three day fight with him. Santiago’s actions have proven to be courageous, brave, and a good friend. Each of these are qualities of a “Code Hero”. “Code Heroes” are Hemingway’s main characters in each of his stories. Hemingway uses these characters to express the same theme in each of his stories. This theme is that man is capable of endurance and dignity in the face of pain. These characters faced the unfair circumstances in their lives with dignity, class and confidence. In Santiago, the central character of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway created a “Code Hero” who personifies courage, endurance, and