What techniques does the author use to engage the reader of The Old Man and the Sea?

In The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, the author uses many different techniques to make his story engaging for the reader. One of the techniques that he uses is suspense. Suspense is used in very many different ways, and causes the reader to want to keep reading. One example of suspense being used in The Old Man and the Sea is when Santiago catches the marlin on his fishing line (Hemingway 44). This makes the reader excited because this means that Santiago's streak of not catching fish will be over. However, it is not easy for Santiago to pull the heavy marlin in. This makes Santiago's struggle to pull the fish in last for several days (Hemingway 46). While Santiago endures hardships to rein the fish in, this leads the reader to wonder whether Santiago will be successful or not. Curiosity drives the reader to keep reading to see what will happen. Suspense is used again in this story when the sharks begin to attack the marlin's corpse (Hemingway 100). Santiago now must fight the sharks for the marlin using whatever means he has (Hemingway 102). Once again the reader is put into suspense about whether Santiago will succeed or not in protecting the marlin. It also causes the reader to wonder when the next shark will come for the marlin.

Not only does the author use suspense to draw the reader into the book, but he also uses symbolism to make the reader engaged. The main symbol of this book is the marlin. The marlin represents nobility and innocence. The marlin means no harm, but Santiago kills him anyway (Hemingway 96). Santiago kills him so he can sell him, and he can continue to support himself (Hemingway 97). This shows the sacrifice that man must endure to keep living and surviving. We are like other creatures in that we kill to live. This symbolism is used to interest the reader and make them think. The thought that this book provokes gets the reader really into the book.

Bibliography:Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. 2003 ed. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.