The Old Man and the Sea
Annotations Exercise
In this class, rather than take reading quizzes (which students routinely try to pass without actually reading), you
will usually be required to annotate your text. The word annotation refers to adding notes to a text. These
notes could refer to highlighting specific details or adding your own personal reflections on the material.
Below are some annotations for Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Together with your partner, you
should go through the text and look for specific examples in order to support these annotations. WRITE IN
YOUR BOOK. Take notes directly on the page. This is the best way to directly interact with the text.
1.) Lions on the Beach—Several times in the text, Santiago daydreams about the lions on the beach. Find
at least two of these scenes and highlight or underline at least four specific descriptions of the lions. In
the margin next to one of these two scenes write your own thoughts about the importance of Santiago’s
dreams. What do you think the lions symbolize? Why are the lions important to Santiago?
2.) Shovel-nosed Sharks—Find three specific references to the shovel-nosed sharks. In the margin next to
one of these examples, discuss the importance of the sharks. What do the sharks represent? Why are
they important in the text?
3.) Crucifixion and/or Christ Imagery—There are several moments in the book in which Santiago is
portrayed using crucifixion imagery. Attempt to find at least two of these images and highlight them in
the text. Next to one of the images, provide a margin note explaining why Hemingway might have
compared Santiago to Christ.
4.) The Struggle of Life and Death—One of Hemingway’s major themes is the honor found in the struggle
against defeat. In many ways, Santiago’s defeat is inevitable, just as death is inevitable, yet he struggles
nonetheless. Find at least three specific descriptions in the text that illustrate Santiago’s struggle. (Be
sure to find three different examples rather than three instances of the same example).
5.) Santiago’s Pride—Santiago’s pride is a source of both greatness and tragedy in the novel. Santiago’s
pride drives him to continue to struggle, but it also pushes him towards his inevitable defeat. Find three
specific examples of Santiago’s pride in the text. At the end of the novel, discuss the following question:
Does Santiago’s pride make him a heroic or a tragic figure?
6.) The Marlin—Clearly the marlin (the fish he works so hard to catch) is an important element within the
text. Find and highlight three specific descriptions of the Marlin: a physical description, a description of
the marlin’s beauty, and a description of the marlin’s importance to Santiago. In the margin next to one
of these examples, describe the marlin as a symbol. What does the Marlin represent? Why is the
Marlin a perfect adversary for Santiago?