Old Man and the Sea Section 5 (pg. 100-119)

The shark detected the blood from the marlin and followed the trail to the skiff. After struggling with the approaching shark, the old man maims him. However, the shark has already torn apart and devoured 40 pounds of Santiago's marlin. In the process, the shark also takes the old man's harpoon and rope. It is difficult for Santiago to look at his mutilated marlin. He sympathizes with his adversary and feels like the shark attacked him as well. Though he is proud he hooked the big marlin, he begins to wish it were all a dream.

Topic Tracking: Pride 7
Topic Tracking: Paternalism 2

Santiago says: "But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated." Page 103 He starts to question whether he killed his adversary because of his intelligence or because he was better armed. He convinces himself not to think, to continue his journey back and take what comes to him. Santiago still questions his bravery and wonders if he can be compared to his hero DiMaggio. He also wonders whether he has committed a sin by slaying the fish. He cannot stop thinking and contemplating because he has no other diversions, alone out at sea. He wonders what motivated him to kill the fish and whether this motivation was worthy or sinful:

"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 105

Topic Tracking: Pride 8
Topic Tracking: Fraternalism 5

More sharks approach Santiago's skiff. He stabs another one and repeats his wish that he had never caught the marlin, that this was all a dream. By now, the two sharks have already consumed the best parts of the marlin. Santiago talks to the fish, apologizing for going too far out into the sea. He knows that the fish could have challenged the sharks. As Santiago begins to see the lights of the city, he acknowledges that if a shark were to attack him, he would be helpless. He is alone, in the dark and without any weapons. He is fatigued and hopes not to fight again.

Around midnight, a pack of sharks swims over to his skiff and Santiago begins to club at the sharks' heads. They eat the last pieces of the marlin and Santiago loses his breath. He tastes a strange taste in his mouth and is convinced that he will die. He spits into the ocean and at the sharks.