How Is Santiago A Hero

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Is Santiago a hero? A hero is someone who helps without getting anything in return and faces tough circumstances with courage, honor, and self-sacrifice. In the story The Old Man and the Sea written by Ernest Hemingway Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, played an important role. Santiago was thin, gaunt, and his hands had old deep-creased scars from handling heavy fish on the cords. Christopher Reeve once stated, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” (brainyquote). Throughout the story Santiago had gone through many tough and overwhelming obstacles without giving up and that makes him a hero. Santiago was skilled and passionate about what he loved doing the most, fishing. He had gone out on the Gulf Stream for eighty-four days going through a torturous battle with a great giant marlin.Eventually he had come back empty handed after putting up a tough fight. During the battle between Santiago and the fish Santiago had said, “Fish. I’ll stay with you until I am dead” (Hemingway 52). This showed readers that Santiago was willing to face any tough obstacle that was going to come his way. …show more content…
Not only does he show kindness to the boy, Manolin, but to everybody. One day Manolin had brought in a two-decker metal container from the terrace along with sets of silverware and napkins for him and Santiago. Santiago had questioned Manolin wondering where he had got something so precious and later founded out that it had come from the owner of the terrace, Martin. Santiago had then stated, “I’ll give him the belly of a big fish” (Hemingway 20). After it being brought up that Martin has done this more than once Santiago also stated, “I must give him something more than the belly meat then. He is very thoughtful for us” (Hemingway 20). This also showed readers that Santiago will do anything for others without getting anything back in