The most noteworthy tendency of Hemingway’s novel is his STYLE. In the novel ‘The Old man and The Sea’ one marked feature of Hemingway’s distinguished style is the technique of ‘Interior Monologue.’ It is an expression of character’s thoughts, feelings, and impressions in a narrative. Hemingway uses much interior monologue for Santiago as he ventures out alone on the sea. Santiago’s thoughts provide a running commentary on “what is going on" outside on the sea. We are constantly made aware of "what is going on" in the old man’s mind. For instances,
1. “He is a great fish and I must convince him, he thought.”
2. “What I will do if he decides to go down, I don’t know. What I’ll do if he sounds and dies I don’t know. But I’ll do something. There are plenty of things I can do.”
3. “I cannot be too far out now, he thought.”
Continuous amount of lines with the words “he thought”, “do it old man” provide an acute example of interior monologue.
Very often the old man thinks aloud and even talks with a bird and a fish. At that time his “state of mind” is discovered.
“You better be fearless and confident yourself, old man.”
“How old are you?” the old man asked the bird. “Is this your first trip? ...
“Take a good rest, small bird” he said.
As in Hamlet it is pointed out that the conscience provides strength at the same time it makes us coward also. In the same way the old man throughout the novel communicates with his own self and attempts to win the battle of life through it…
Hello Pooja!
ReplyDeleteThe background of the sea in your blog is much related with the topic of "The Old man and the SEA". You have written the quotations from the text that are in a way presenting the style of the writer and the title you have chosen is also appropriate with this context. You have also allied “Hamlet” with this text through the soliloquy which makes your blog interesting. I like one sentence the most is; “conscience provides strength at the same time it makes us coward also”, as it’s an essence of life.
Keep writing such a brilliant blog.
Thank you.