Major 12

Name: Sarvaiya prarthanaba sukhdevsinh 

Sub: english major 12

Sem:sem 5

Year: T.y.b.a.

College: maharani shree nanadkuvarba mahila arts and commerce college.

Class assignment 

1.  Discuss Santiago as a code hero in The Old Man and the Sea.

Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea presents Santiago as a code hero. The term “code hero” refers to a person who follows a personal code of courage, dignity, endurance, discipline, and self-respect, even when facing failure and suffering. Santiago represents these qualities throughout the story.

1. Courage and Determination

Santiago is an old fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish. However, he does not lose hope. He goes far into the sea to prove that he can still succeed. His struggle with the great marlin shows his courage and determination.

2. Endurance

Santiago suffers from physical pain, hunger, tiredness, and loneliness during his struggle with the marlin. Still, he refuses to give up. He continues fighting until he catches the fish. His endurance is one of the strongest qualities of the code hero.

3. Dignity and Self-Respect

Santiago believes that a person should maintain dignity even during difficult situations. Although he is defeated by circumstances, he never behaves like a coward. He accepts his suffering with patience and maintains his self-respect.

4. Skill and Discipline

Santiago is an experienced fisherman. He understands the sea, the fish, and the natural world. He depends on his knowledge and skill rather than luck. His discipline and experience help him fight the marlin for a long time.

5. Acceptance of Defeat

A code hero does not necessarily have to win. What matters is how he faces defeat. Santiago catches the marlin, but sharks eat most of its flesh before he returns home. Although he loses the physical reward of his victory, he does not consider himself spiritually defeated.

6. “A Man Can Be Destroyed but Not Defeated”

This idea is central to Santiago’s character. His body may be exhausted and his catch may be destroyed, but his courage and spirit remain strong. His real victory is his ability to face suffering without surrendering his dignity.

7. Relationship with Nature

Santiago respects the sea and the marlin. He does not see nature simply as an enemy. He admires the strength and beauty of the marlin and considers it a worthy opponent. This respect shows his connection with the natural world.

Conclusion

Santiago is a perfect example of Hemingway’s code hero. He faces loneliness, pain, struggle, and loss with courage, patience, discipline, endurance, and dignity. Although he suffers a physical defeat, he achieves a moral and spiritual victory. Santiago therefore represents the human ability to remain strong and honorable even in the face of failure.

Home assignment 

2.Examine Jane Austen’s critique of marriage and inheritance as social and economic institutions in Sense and Sensibility.

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is not only a story about love and relationships but also a criticism of the social and economic systems that shaped women’s lives in eighteenth-century England. Marriage and inheritance are especially important because they determine a woman’s financial security, social position, and freedom. Through the Dashwood sisters and other characters, Austen shows how these institutions can create inequality and dependence.

1. Marriage as an Economic Institution

In the novel, marriage is closely connected with money, property, and social status. Women have limited opportunities to earn or inherit wealth independently, so marriage often becomes an important means of achieving financial security.

The Dashwood women experience this problem after the death of Mr. Henry Dashwood. Their financial situation becomes uncertain, making suitable marriage an important concern. Austen shows that love alone is often not enough; economic circumstances influence romantic relationships.

For example, Edward Ferrars loves Elinor, but his family expects him to make a socially and economically advantageous marriage. His mother, Mrs. Ferrars, strongly disapproves of Elinor because she does not consider her wealthy or socially important enough.

2. Marriage and Social Pressure

Austen also criticizes the pressure placed on people, especially women, to marry according to social expectations rather than personal feelings.

Marianne initially rejects the idea of marrying simply for financial security. Her romantic idealism makes her believe that marriage should be based on genuine love. However, her experience with Willoughby teaches her that emotional attraction without good judgment can be dangerous.

Elinor takes a more practical approach. Her relationship with Edward shows the difficulties created when love conflicts with family expectations and economic interests.

3. Inheritance and Women’s Dependence

Inheritance is another major social and economic issue in the novel. The Dashwood family loses much of its financial security because Norland passes to John Dashwood, rather than directly benefiting his stepmother and half-sisters.

The situation demonstrates the limited economic power available to women. The Dashwood women must leave Norland and depend on the generosity of male relatives and friends.

Austen therefore exposes the insecurity produced by a system in which property and wealth are largely controlled by men.

4. John Dashwood and Greed

John Dashwood’s behavior provides Austen with a strong criticism of economic selfishness. Before his father dies, John intends to help his stepmother and sisters financially. However, influenced by his wife Fanny, he gradually reduces the amount he is willing to give them.

Their conversations are satirical because John repeatedly convinces himself that giving less money is reasonable. Through this episode, Austen shows how people can use social and economic arguments to justify selfishness.

5. Marriage and Class

Marriage in the novel is also influenced by class distinctions. Mrs. Ferrars considers Elinor unsuitable for Edward because of her comparatively modest social and financial position.

Similarly, Lucy Steele carefully uses relationships to improve her social and economic position. Her secret engagement to Edward shows how marriage can become a strategy for social advancement.

Austen does not simply condemn women for thinking about money. Instead, she shows that economic insecurity forces people to consider money when choosing a marriage partner.

6. Austen’s Use of Irony

Austen uses irony and satire to criticize these institutions. She does not usually attack society directly. Instead, she allows readers to see the foolishness and selfishness of characters such as John Dashwood, Fanny Dashwood, and Mrs. Ferrars.

The contrast between characters also reveals Austen’s values. Elinor’s intelligence and self-control are more admirable than wealth or social status, while Marianne’s emotional development shows the importance of learning to judge people wisely.

7.Marriage as Both Constraint and Security

Austen presents marriage in a complicated way. It can restrict women, but it can also provide companionship, financial stability, and social security. The marriages at the end of the novel therefore represent more than romantic endings; they also resolve economic and social problems.

Elinor’s marriage to Edward and Marianne’s marriage to Colonel Brandon become successful because they combine affection, understanding, stability, and moral character.

Conclusion

In Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen critiques marriage and inheritance as institutions deeply influenced by wealth, property, class, and gender inequality. Women’s limited access to property makes them economically dependent, while social expectations make marriage an important source of security. Through the experiences of Elinor and Marianne, Austen shows both the difficulties and possibilities of marriage.

Ultimately, Austen suggests that a good marriage should not be based merely on money or social position, but on love, respect, understanding, and good judgment. Her criticism is therefore both social and moral: she exposes the unfairness of the system while presenting emotionally and morally responsible relationships as an ideal.

           Essay 

Examine Santiago’s relationship with Manolin. How does their bond highlight themes of mentorship, loyalty, and hope?

Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea presents a deep and affectionate relationship between Santiago, an old fisherman, and Manolin, a young boy who has learned fishing from him. Their relationship is important because it represents mentorship, loyalty, friendship, and hope. Through their bond, Hemingway shows that human connection can give strength even during difficult times.

1. Mentorship

Santiago is Manolin’s teacher and mentor. He has taught the boy the skills and values of fishing. Manolin respects Santiago’s knowledge and experience, even though Santiago is no longer successful as a fisherman.

Santiago teaches Manolin more than fishing. He teaches him patience, courage, discipline, and perseverance. His determination to continue despite difficulties becomes an example for the young boy.

2. Loyalty

Manolin’s loyalty to Santiago is one of the strongest features of their relationship. Although Manolin’s parents make him fish with another fisherman because Santiago has had a long period without catching fish, the boy does not abandon Santiago emotionally.

He continues to visit Santiago, bring him food and fishing supplies, help him with his equipment, and care for him. His actions show that true friendship is not based on success or material benefit.

Santiago also loves Manolin deeply. He is proud of the boy and wants him to become a successful fisherman. Their relationship therefore involves mutual respect and affection.

3. Hope

Manolin represents hope and the future. Santiago’s life is marked by loneliness and repeated failure, but Manolin gives him emotional strength and reminds him that he is not completely alone.

The boy’s faith in Santiago is especially important. Even when others doubt the old fisherman, Manolin continues to believe in him. His confidence helps Santiago maintain his own sense of dignity and courage.

At the end of the story, Manolin’s determination to continue learning from Santiago suggests that Santiago’s knowledge and spirit will live on through the next generation.

4. Generational Connection

The relationship also represents a connection between youth and old age. Santiago has experience, wisdom, and knowledge, while Manolin represents youth, energy, and the future.

Their relationship shows that wisdom can be passed from one generation to another. Santiago may be physically old, but his values continue through Manolin.

Conclusion

Santiago and Manolin share a relationship based on love, respect, loyalty, and trust. Santiago acts as a mentor who teaches Manolin important lessons about life, while Manolin gives Santiago companionship and hope. Their bond demonstrates that success is not measured only by material achievement. Human relationships, courage, and the ability to inspire others are also forms of victory.