Old Man and the Sea Code Hero

In Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea, Santiago is a classic example of a Code Hero, a man of action who accepts death as a part of life, possesses a high degree of skill, and is in a constant state of alertness, having trouble sleeping or resting. First, Santiago is a highly skilled fisherman, who knows his job well and performs it with precision and accuracy without having to give it much thought. He continually demonstrates his skill during his adventure on the ocean, as he initially prepares his lines, lands an albacore tuna, and then works to land the great fish. Next, he has trouble muting his senses which is apparent throughout the novella. Santiago stays awake for most of the three days that he is out at sea, without giving in to the extreme tiredness that he faces. He is always aware of what is happening and responds to the different changes that occur as he is towed by the fish. Finally, Santiago cheats death and takes risks to perform his livelihood, doing whatever is necessary to get the job done. He doesn’t spend time thinking about the dangers involved; he just focuses on whatever task is in front of him. From allowing himself to be pulled far out to sea, to struggling to land the fish, and then battling with the sharks, he accepts that he may be destroyed in the process, but he will not allow himself to be defeated. By effortlessly performing his job with flawless skill, maintaining an active frame of mind throughout his ordeal on the sea, and continually taking risks that challenge death, Santiago proves he is worthy of the title of Code Hero.

In considering the characteristics of a Code Hero, Santiago is an excellent example of a man who possesses a high degree of skill which he demonstrates on his excursion out on the ocean, baiting his hooks with precision, capably landing a ten pound albacore tuna, and knowingly predicting the weather. Santiago rows far out into the ocean, past all the other fishermen, in hopes of catching a