Symbolism, Setting, and Objects from The Old Man and the Sea

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

The flag of permanent defeat - The sail of Santiago's boat that had been patched with old flour sacks.

Albacore - A type of tuna that Santiago uses as bait.

lions - The great creatures on the beaches of Africa about which Santiago dreams. Santiago loves great and majestic animals and considers them as his peers.

la mar - Santiago thinks of the sea as a feminine creature because it is temperamental and emotional. Santiago is at one with nature.

sharks - Creatures that attack Santiago, his skiff, and the marlin as...
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