The Old Man and the Sea Study Guide

1953 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing to their awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Hemingway in 1954. #173 on the Big Read List (UK's top 200).

Through Ernest Hemingway's story of struggle, defeat, and personal triumph, Old Man and the Sea, students will learn:

Author Biography: Learn about Ernest Hemingway and the fascinating history behind the author and novel.

Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.

Literary Techniques: In-context, characterization, plot, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, conflict, foreshadowing, symbol, personification, parallel character, synonym, stream of consciousness, descriptive language, themes, dynamic vs. static characters, Christ-like figure, hero, protagonist, tragic hero, anti-hero.

Moral Lessons and Character Values: True faith, pride and humility, work of our hands all for God, work hard to succeed, vows and God, prayer, encouragement, God's love and faithfulness, hope, resolve, motives, attitude, sin, outer hurt cannot touch us inside, blame, partnership, bad things can happen to good people.

Activities and Writing Assignments: Mapwork, research WWI Lost Generation, deep-sea fishing, courage discussion, author writing style, research Jo DiMaggio, essay about future dreams/plans, sea creatures and birds, write using stream of consciousness, creative art or painting, poems, difficult situation essay, narrative style, advice list, Christian imagery and allusions, discouragement vs. encouragement, optimism vs. pessimism, achievement and loss.

Suggestions for Further Reading: We include an in-depth reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!

• Large 8.5x11 printed workbook format is convenient to read and easy on the eyes
• Every question has plenty of whitespace for student's answers
• Encourages neat and clean handwriting practice
• Easily transports without the need for a laptop or other expensive equipment
• Provides a permanent record of the student's work
• Convenient, removable answer key included for the teacher!
• Study guides do not contain the text of the story, play, poems, or book.
• Recommended for grades 9-12.
• Setting: Cuba, mid-1900s
• Genre: American Literature