Q: Do the dreams have any significance for the characters in the novel?
Ans:
The
dreams of lions have great significance in Santiago's life. They remind
him of his glorious youth. The old man dreams of lions when he is in
great crisis. He derives courage, strength, will-power, inspiration and
hope from these dreams. Dreams of lions sustain him to live and fight
with new spirit and gusto. That is why the writer says:
“He no longer dreamed of great fish, storms, women, great events, fights, contests of strength nor his wife? He only dreamed of lions and places".
We have three references to the dreams of lions. He dreams before going to the fishing expedition, because he has not caught any fish for 84 days. He derives hope and courage. Second, during the fishing expedition, when he is dead tired, he dreams of lions to console himself. Third, when he comes back after losing his battle with sharks, he dreams of lions again.
The old man dreams of lions to forget his sufferings, agonies, sorrows and torture. These dreams of lions fill his soul with new spirit and valour. He gets ready to face the wild forces of nature. The dreams of lions reveal the optimistic nature of the old man. These dreams of lions also give us hope and courage. Man should not be pessimist because; ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’
'In the sea of agonies, there are also green island'. So these dreams of lions inject hope and courage into the veins of Santiago and fill his soul and spirit.
“He no longer dreamed of great fish, storms, women, great events, fights, contests of strength nor his wife? He only dreamed of lions and places".
We have three references to the dreams of lions. He dreams before going to the fishing expedition, because he has not caught any fish for 84 days. He derives hope and courage. Second, during the fishing expedition, when he is dead tired, he dreams of lions to console himself. Third, when he comes back after losing his battle with sharks, he dreams of lions again.
The old man dreams of lions to forget his sufferings, agonies, sorrows and torture. These dreams of lions fill his soul with new spirit and valour. He gets ready to face the wild forces of nature. The dreams of lions reveal the optimistic nature of the old man. These dreams of lions also give us hope and courage. Man should not be pessimist because; ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’
'In the sea of agonies, there are also green island'. So these dreams of lions inject hope and courage into the veins of Santiago and fill his soul and spirit.
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