Question
How are turtles symbolic in the old man in the sea with textual evidence
Answers
GPT 3.5
In "The Old Man and the Sea," turtles are used as a symbol of endurance, strength, and wisdom.
1. Endurance: The old man himself admires the turtle for its perseverance and endurance. He compares himself to the turtle, stating, "You did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food, he thought. You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you loved him after. If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him. Or is it more?" (Page 25). The old man recognizes the turtle's ability to endure and survive, just as he himself is determined to prove his strength and resilience.
2. Strength: Santiago, the old man, frequently refers to turtles as "nobles" and acknowledges their strength. He states, "The black back of the fish broke the surface and the old man saw his brother, smaller and with the same hard majesty... But they are strong, he thought" (Page 69). This highlights the old man's reverence for turtles and their ability to withstand the ocean's challenges, reflecting his own determination and inner strength.
3. Wisdom: Turtles are also seen as wise creatures in the novella. Santiago notes, "The one who was in the sunlight...seemed to know that this was not done that way" (Page 110) when referring to turtles observing sharks feeding on the marlin's remnants. This indicates that Santiago sees turtles as knowledgeable about the ways of the sea and respects their wisdom, similar to his own understanding of the ocean and its forces.
Overall, the symbolism of turtles in "The Old Man and the Sea" represents endurance, strength, and wisdom, mirroring the old man's own characteristics and his pursuit of proving himself against nature's challenges.
1. Endurance: The old man himself admires the turtle for its perseverance and endurance. He compares himself to the turtle, stating, "You did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food, he thought. You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you loved him after. If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him. Or is it more?" (Page 25). The old man recognizes the turtle's ability to endure and survive, just as he himself is determined to prove his strength and resilience.
2. Strength: Santiago, the old man, frequently refers to turtles as "nobles" and acknowledges their strength. He states, "The black back of the fish broke the surface and the old man saw his brother, smaller and with the same hard majesty... But they are strong, he thought" (Page 69). This highlights the old man's reverence for turtles and their ability to withstand the ocean's challenges, reflecting his own determination and inner strength.
3. Wisdom: Turtles are also seen as wise creatures in the novella. Santiago notes, "The one who was in the sunlight...seemed to know that this was not done that way" (Page 110) when referring to turtles observing sharks feeding on the marlin's remnants. This indicates that Santiago sees turtles as knowledgeable about the ways of the sea and respects their wisdom, similar to his own understanding of the ocean and its forces.
Overall, the symbolism of turtles in "The Old Man and the Sea" represents endurance, strength, and wisdom, mirroring the old man's own characteristics and his pursuit of proving himself against nature's challenges.