Abstract: In The Old Man and the Sea, the tough guy Santiago is a hero who can be destroyed but not defeated. This paper aims at analyzing the image of tough guy Santiago. He is an ordinary man with outstanding braveness. Compared with other main characters in Hemingway’s earlier works, Santiago is the one who pays more positive attention to destiny and whose understanding of life is more profound. As a literary character, Santiago has great significance to the whole mankind.

Key words: The Old man and the Sea; Santiago; Tough Guy

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction.1

1.1 Introduction to the Novel 

1.2 Introduction to the Author

2. Santiago: The Image of Tough Guy2

2.1 Struggle with Big Marlin: Braveness and Persistence

2.2 Struggle with Sharks: Kindness and Full of Passion

3. Significance of Santiago’s Tough Guy Image5

  3.1 Significance of Life

  3.2 A Hero Who Can be Destroyed But Not Defeated

  3.3 Synthesis of the “Tough Guy” Image

4. Conclusion 

Bibliography.

Acknowledgements