Marlin off the Morrow A Cuban Letter Written by Ernest...

â€Å"Marlin off the Morrow: A Cuban Letter†, was published in the first issue of Esquire magazine in 1933, and written by Ernest Hemingway. The essay details the escapades of a Cuban fisherman dragged out to sea by marlin. By the time he was found, sharks had destroyed the man’s great catch.1 This essay is the basis for the story of the main character, Santiago, in Hemingway’s novella, The Old Man and the Sea.1 Published almost twenty years later, in 1952, The Old Man and the Sea is considered a classic American novel. The story is deceivingly simple, involving an unlucky elderly fisherman, Santiago, who hasnt caught a fish in months. However, many aspects of the story tell of a much deeper message which transcends the years. Santiago†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"‘I am not religious,’ he said. ‘But I will say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish, and I promise to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin de Cobr e if I catch him. That is a promise.’† (Hemingway 48) Santiago had been exposed to the Catholic faith for long enough to be able to say Hail Marys and Our Fathers, but he had turned his back on this faith long ago, so he could only say them mechanically. â€Å"Do not think about sin... I have no understanding of it and I am not sure that I believe in it. Do not think about sin... there are people who are paid to do it.† (Hemingway 81) Santiago did not follow any religion, and regarded nature as his equal, a naturalist view. He was only ready to acknowledge God when he needed a favor. It is said that Pride comes before the fall. This is a key theme in The Old Man and the Sea. Whatever else he learned from his perilous adventure at sea, Santiago learned humility. In the beginning of the story, we meet Santiago, who, despite being unlucky, is an expert fisherman. Slightly prideful, but not arrogant he believes he can accomplish anything alone simply because he has experience and is persistent. â€Å"‘I may not be as strong as I think,’ the old man said. ‘But I know many tricks and I have resolution.’† (Hemingway 14) It was this thinking that allowed Santiago to let the marlin drag him far out to sea. To a certain extent, Santiago was right. He defeated the