The Old Man and the Sea Lesson Plan

Santiago says, "A man is never lost at sea, and it is a long island." What does he mean by, "a man is never lost at sea"? Think about what that statement means in general, and then consider the specific context of the story (who is saying it and the situation in which he is saying it). What do we know about him that accounts for why he might say that?

Students may refer to Santiago's knowledge and intuitive understanding of the sea. He knows the currents, the winds and the depths. He can read the sky, and he has a sense of timing. He knows how to survive at sea. And so these factors help him to stay on course. His understanding of the sea is so strong that he seems to...