THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA: A STUDY OF INTERDEPENDENCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP

The Nobel Laureate of 1954 in the field of Literature, Ernest Hemingway, has made significant contributions in the literary world through his diversified writings. He led an inconsistent life, the former of which was rather illusionary until he was injured in the war field. Thereafter he returned home and slowly took to writing as a career. He gave a wonderful collection of literature to the world but his magnum opus, The Old Man and the Sea, won him the stature most befitted to him. The Old Man and the Sea attracted attention from all quarters of the world. It has been most debated for its portrayal of characters and its themes. From amongst the variable themes like struggle of an individual, role of natural forces in one’s life, biblical allegories, etc., this paper explores the theme of human relationship with reference to Santiago and Manolin and their interdependence on each other. It focuses on how they both share a bonding which keeps them struggle better in life.