Point of View

Hemingway uses both the omniscient third person and the first person to give a single point of view, that of Thomas Hudson. The author achieves a smooth flow from narrative to thoughts and dialog, in which Hemingway allows commentary from the other characters. However, the innermost thoughts and feelings of the other characters come across as if it is Thomas recalling the conversations rather than the author reporting them in real time.

Thomas sees, hears, and feels intimately, while a character like David exhibits outward signs of what he experiences. An example of this is the fight for the big swordfish. By inference, the reader understands that the fish tests David's endurance and determination; the reader's understanding is achieved not by directly reading about David's experience but by observing his actions and words through Thomas.

Part of Hemingway's art brings the reader into direct contact with...