The
narrator
of
the
story
goes
to
visit
an
old
friend
named
Roderick
Usher,
who
has
written
to
him
asking
him
to
come
quickly.
Roderick
is
ill.
His
family
has
no
descendents
so
it
will
soon
“die
out.”
The
family
estate
also
is
not
in
good
condition.
When
the
narrator
arrives,
he
finds
the
house
in
a
state
of
dark
decay.
There
is
a
long,
zigzag
crack
on
the
outside
of
the
house.
Roderick
says
he
is
mainly
ill
because
he
is
worried
about
his
sister
Madeline,
who
is
also
very
ill
with
some
unknown
disease.
If
she
dies,
Roderick
will
be
the
last
Usher.
The
men
spend
several
days
together
until
Roderick
announces
that
Madeline
has
died.
They
place
her
body
in
the
family
burial
area,
an
underground
room.
The
narrator
finds
it
interesting
that
Madeleine
has
a
faint
glow
about
her
even
though
she
is
dead.
During the following week, Usher continues his downfall. One evening he comes to the narrator’s room and he is very upset because a heavy cloud appears to hang over the house. The narrator tries to calm him by reading a book. As they are reading they begin to hear noises that sound like the house is falling apart. Later they hear screams. Eventually, the narrator learns that Madeleine has been buried alive. She manages to escape her tomb, finds her brother, and flings herself upon him.
The narrator escapes the horror of the situation by running away, but as he leaves he glances backwards and sees the house caving in.
Key
Characters:
Santiago
–
old
fisherman
in
a
Cuban
fishing
village
Manolin
–
young
boy
who
respects
Santiago
The Marlin – although it is only a fish, Hemmingway’s writing explores the fish’s emotions and motivations.
The Sharks – attach and eat Santiago’s marlin
Santiago is losing the respect of the townspeople because he hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. Santiago’s helper, a young boy named Manolin, can no longer go fishing with the old man who is believed to be unlucky. Despite the troubles, Santiago remains stoic, never complaing to anyone. Manolin, however, knows Santiago is struggling. He tries to help by bringing food to the old man and keeping him company. They discuss baseball, and Santiago talks about Joe DiMaggio, his hero.
Holding no resentment toward the boy, Santiago heads to sea alone. The following day a large marlin takes his bait. Despite near exhaustion and weakness from old age, Santiago struggles to hold on to the fish as the day passes. His hands ache and cramp, but he does not give up. Although he wants to kill the fish, Santiago also respects and loves the fish because it is tough and persistant like himself. Eventually Santiago reels in the fish, which is so big it cannot fit into the boat. As Santiago heads home, sharks attack the fish. Santiago fights to keep them away, but before reaching shore the sharks eat the big fish, leaving only a skeleton. Although all appears lost, Santiago regains the respect of the townspeople when they see the large fish skeleton.