The Olde Man And The Sea: Religious Similarities

In almost all of Earnest Hemingway’s literature, he either puts a bit of his own life experience in or he lets his life influence the story. With the Old Man and the Sea, he draws much influence from his religious upbringing as a child. As a young child he was raised in a strict Protestant town and taught strong morals of the Christian faith. Almost as soon as he could, he immediately turned to atheism. Hemingway did not only not believe in God but regarded organized religion as a menace to human happiness (Great Minds: Atheist Quotes).

Hemingway’s religious influences on the story are seen in the two religions ment

At the conclusion of the book, Santiago arrived back in the harbor. He carried the mast of the skiff across his shoulder and up the hill to his cabin. On the way he had to rest a number of times. Upon arrival to his destination, Santiago collapsed onto his bed facing downward and with his palms turned upward. When Manolin saw the old man he began to cry (Hemingway 121-122). This was one of the most dominant parallels to Christ throughout the novella. These examples of crucifixion imagery parallel Christ’s march up to Calvary. Christ also fell a number of times on the way to his final destination. The final position that Christ was left in was the same position in which Santiago fell asleep in. Manolin’s crying represented the followers of Christ and their guilt after Christ’s execution.

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