On the Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea《老人与海》中的象征手法.doc

《老人与海》中的象征手法 On the Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Abstract The Old Man and the Sea is Earnest Hemingway ’s last major work which was published in book is regarded as the most important work of Hemingway ’s writing principle and classical one for its literary value. The Old man and The Sea capping his career and leading to his receipt of the Nobel Prize, this short novel is about an old Cuban fisherman Santiago and his losing battle with a giant Marlin. Ina tragic sense, it isa representation of life asa struggle against unconquerable natural force in which only a partial victory is possible. Nevertheless, there isa feeling of great respect for the struggle and mankind. Readers are concerned about the symbolism all over the prose although it’s not quite a symbolic work . It intends to find out the hidden value behind the literal version by studying the symbolic images in the novel , such as the characters, the living environment and the animals. We can figure out the aesthetic and tragic meaning of these symbolic images to which Hemingway ’s philosophic thoughts are related. The application of symbolism also decides the creation of the characters in the novel. In line with his traditional style Hemingway described a vivid image of the rugged old man Santiago. Santiago, as the representative of the code men , along with other characters for code men in Hemingway ’s works , promoted its symbolic meaning to depth of philosophy. The spirit of code man also lights up the road of Hemingway ’s life. The application of symbolism is also the best foot note for Hemingway ’s famous iceberg theory. The images and settings are mon in life , but the symbolic meanings get right into the deepest inside of life itself. The one eighth of the iceberg above the water leads us to the truth of life which is the rest seven eighths under the sea. Key Words: The Old Man and the Sea ; Symbolism ; Code man ; Iceberg Theory 内容摘要《老人与海》是美国作家海明威后期的一部重要作品。这部作品充分体现了作者的创作原则,成为一部在世界文学史