The sharks have great symbolic significance in the novel, “The Old Man and the Sea”. Santiago’s confrontation with sharks is the most thrilling part of the novel. Santiago’s struggle with sharks takes place at a time when he is completely tried and his hands are badly cut, but in this time of ordeal he is ready to face the attack of sharks. He kills the first shark “Mako” with courage, but the attack of the first shark causes a great deal of loss for Santiago as it take forty pounds of marlin’s flesh and his harpoon. Santiago is deeply disappointed at this loss as he is fully aware of the fact that blood of the marlin would attract other sharks. He knows, “Now the bad time is coming.” But he remains consistent in his faith that

Some critics have the view the view point that the ending of the novel, “The Old Man and the Sea” is not justified and logical. They are of the view that the struggle of Santiago should not ended in smoke. Let us justify the ending of this novel The Old Man and the Sea on the following grounds.

The Old man and the sea a tragedy Tragedy is the tale exceptional sufferings leading generally but not always to the death of the hero. The hero possesses certain good qualities but he is not perfect. He suffers from a flaw which brings about his downfall.“The Old Man and the Sea” shows most of the characteristics of tragedy. Santiago faces exceptional sufferings because of his flaw. Santiago’s struggle with the marlin has tragic qualities because of the suffering and endurance of the fish and the old man. Our feelings of admiration and pity are aroused for both of them