Is the Old Man and the Sea a parable?

Is the Old Man and the Sea a parable?

 

Ans:The Old Man and The Sea" Is an allegory. It denotes moral and religious ideas before reader. Thi9 novel is the best example of a parable.
The hero introduces himself the moral truth. Santiago declares, "But man is not made for defeat, a man can be destroyed but not defeated" when he fights against the sharks.
The giant marlin stands for a distant goal of life for human being. The journey towards the goal causes much distress and much pain. His wounded hands symbolize the rebuffs suffered by a man in the course of his efforts. The long and strong resistance shows that it is easy to get high ideals of life. The old man wins a victory oyer the marlin by means of will-power, technique and strategy. The memories, the thoughts of DiMaggio and Manolin, African beaches and his own wrestling defeating a Negro have symbolic significance. All these represent that man is ever alone but he has to fight the battle of life alone.
During his fight against Marlin or sharks, he speaks many times, “I wish the boy was here and I wish I had the boy”. The boy is a source of youth’s courage. He also remembers the help of the boy. He is compelled to hang on the line after hooking the Marlin. He thinks no one should be alone in the old age.
It seems that sharks have defeated the Old Man. Santiago has failed to save his huge Marlin from sharks. But the . writer wants to clarify that there is a lot of “gain” in the “loss” of big fish. The Old Man is winner against the hostile forces. He comes out of his conflict with human dignity and un-ended courage. He fights undauntedly and saves his honour. He is not defeated by the big fish. He fights like a warrior. He does well with all his energy, strength and courage.
Santiago in his difficult time is supported by the memories of the lions and the boy which are the symbols of his youth times. Through the double vision of the boy and the lions, he recollects the golden time of his youth and strength. This story when viewed in this way can be called as a parable of youth and age.