Question 8

Discuss Santiago’s struggle with the Marlin

Candidates were expected to discuss the following points.

• Marlin is an extra ordinary big fish that Santiago struggles to catch, while fishing.

 

• The old man has been on sea for 84 days without catching a fish but is certain that the fish he would eventually catch would be a large fish.

• He idolizes the Marlin and sees it as his own brother.  He tells himself he must prove worthy of the fish, despite the problems surrounding him.

 

• Santiago fantasizes about the fish in the water; he talks to the fish even when it is not in his sight but deep in the sea.

• The Marlin drags the Old man about on the sea.  Eventually, the fish is caught by the Old man after much struggle and endurance.

 

• Santiago also struggles to get the Marlin on shore despite the fact that it has been reduced to skeleton by the sharks.

• Santiago’s catch of the Marlin draws admiration from his colleagues and tourists.

 

             Candidates’ performance was poor.