The Return to Harbor

Santiago drags the marlin skeleton back to the harbor and collapses, his struggle witnessed by the community.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Sailing Home

Sailing Home A Broken Ship Santiago sails the skiff through the night. The wind is with him, but the skiff is light without the weight of the fish. He has no thoughts, only the instinct to steer. He sees the lights of the beach colonies and knows he is close. The Harbor He sails into the little harbor just before dawn. The Terrace lights are out. He beaches the skiff on the shingle and stumbles out. He is too tired to look at the skeleton. He carries the mast up the hill, falling five times before reaching his shack. He lies on his bed, face down, his hands palm up. He sleeps deeply.

The Boy's Grief

The Boy's Grief Manolin Finds Santiago When the boy comes to the shack, he sees the old man's hands and begins to cry. He goes to get coffee, and on the way, he sees the fishermen measuring the skeleton: eighteen feet long. He is proud but heartbroken. The Promise of the Future Manolin tells Santiago that they will fish together again, that he will bring luck. Santiago protests that he is not lucky anymore, but the boy insists. He will bring new gear, a good knife, and a killing lance. He will learn from the old man. Santiago sleeps, dreaming of the lions. The boy sits by him, watching.

The Tourists Mistake the Skeleton

The Tourists Mistake the Skeleton A Misunderstanding A party of tourists at the Terrace sees the long white spine and tail in the water. They ask what it is. The waiter, meaning to explain, says "Tiburon" (shark). The tourists marvel at the beauty of the tail, not understanding the story. The Irony To the tourists, the skeleton is just a curiosity. They do not know the epic battle that took place. The old man's struggle is invisible to them. Only the fishermen and the boy know the truth. Santiago, meanwhile, dreams of the lions on the beach. He has found peace.

predawn of the fourth day

morning after the return

afternoon of the return day