Illusion and Disillusion in Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea

A detailed Summary of Illusion and Disillusion in Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea

The Journey from Illusion to Disillusion in Hemingway's Old Man and The Sea

In our world today we are constantly bombarded with messages of illusion and falsity, however the states in which people travel through their lives differ. Some people are suspended in a state of illusion for all their lives, only realizing their potential on their deathbed. Others have their illusions stolen from them as a child and are brought up in a world without magic and fanciful ideas. For most, we discover this passage from illusion to disillusion at a time in our lives when we need it most. Quite simply, one cannot lead a happy and productive adult life when one is oblivious to the truths of this world. This does not mean, however, that the perfect life is one free from illusions, hopes and dreams. Ideally through the process of disillusionment one will learn the importance of their dreams and hold on to the ones that make them most productive. In Hemingway's novel, The Old Man and The Sea, the main character Santiago needs this rite of passage to define and seal his destiny, and to truly understand and believe in himself. It is through this journey that he establishes limits and boundaries on the illusions he holds onto ritualisticall

y, and yet opens himself up to the larger possibilities of life at the same time. He goes through very obvious and specific stages in his struggle, in a world of illusion, through the sacrifice and pain of the journey and into disillusionment.

In the last moments of Santiago's ordeal, he meets the point of disillusionment and enlightenment, being forced to realize that his illusions were no longer useful and could not help him. Santiago had developed a relationship with the fish, in that all his pride and hope were concentrated in that creature: "When the fish had been hit it was as though he himself were hit" (103). The pain Santiago began to feel was that of defeat, of realization that he could not win, that he would lose all that he had worked to gain. Santiago was at once forced to realize his own defeat, however, he was confronted by the fact that he still held hope that he would make it to shore, confessing, "It is silly not to hope" (110). Santiago must go on fighting, for his dignity and for his fate. Though the fish - and his pride - are badly mutilated, he must go on, continue fighting. He battles the sharks all throughout the journey back to shore, defending his prize long after it is ruined. The most defining point of the journey, the novel and of Santiago's disillusionment is when he realizes that he retains the dignity of catching the great fish, and though he lost the small battle, he still won in the long run. Hemingway said it better than anyone else can: "'But a man is not made for defeat,' he said. 'A man can be destroyed but not defeated'" (103). Santiago realizes that he does not have to lose his pride or dignity because of his loss, because he still caught the fish, and had proof. Goth summarized Hemingway's purpose,

The Journey is a necessary part of life, before one can reach full potential. It entails great suffering and pain, but will lead to true happiness. Santiago experiences symptoms of pain, suffering, confusion and deeper thought in his struggle with the fish, and with himself. Santiago first begins to experience delusions, talking not only to himself, but to birds, and the fish. He begins to think of things he may never have pondered before, feeling sorry for the fish that he has caught, realizing the greatness of such a creature: "... he began to pity the great fish that he had hooked. He is wonderful and strange..." (46). Santiago seems to develop an appreciation for nature, and for the universe of which he is a crucial element. Later into his struggle when he begins to feel the pain which the struggle is causing, he even ponders the focus of his life: "Perhaps I should not have been a fisherman, he thought" (48). Santiago feels a close bond growing with the fish, as they suffer together in this journey. He feels that he is betraying the creature in some way

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Approximate Word count = 1916
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English