Classic English Literature Notes

Give a brief account of the hand-game competition Santiago had with the Negro from Cienfuegos. What is its importance in the plot of the novel?

           Santiago, the hero of this novel, is shown to be a man of exceptional courage, physical strength, determination and power of endurance. These qualities make him a great tighter and enable him to win our sympathies and admiration. He is shown to be an old man, worn out by age and miseries of life, with a thin and lean body. But in his youth Santiago was a strong man, with a muscular body and great physical strength. He was strong and courageous enough to accept all kinds of challenges. To show bravery and to give the tough tight had always been the motto of his life. When he was engaged in the epic-fight against the powerful marlin in the deep sea, he felt deeply fatigued and broken hearted at times. But his sense of pride and honor did not permit him to give up his struggle and to accept defeat. At such moments of failing faith, he tried to boost up his morale and strengthened his confidence by recollecting his deeds of bravery in the past. His remembrance of the hand-game competition with the Negro from Cienfeugos was also an attempt to encourage himself against his difficult adversary.

             The Old Man recalled to his mind the great trial of physical strength and power of endurance that made him the Champion of that area. It was the hand-game competition held at the inn of Casablanca. His opponent was the famous Negro from Cienfeugos who was known as the strongest man at the harbor, Santiago decided to refute the popular notion that the negro was matchless in strength and an undefeatable hero. He challenged the Negro to a hand-game competition. Both of them sat round a table facing each other. Their elbows were resting on a line drawn across the centre of the table. They held their arms erect and gripped each other’s hand tightly.

          Both the competitors tried to bring each other’s hand down to the surface of the table, without leaving their seats. The competition started early in the morning and continued throughout the day and night without a break. There was a large crowd of spectators, watching the trial of strength and cheering their own heroes. There were many to bet on the fate of the competition that went on changing from time to time. People continued watching the game in the light of oil lamps. The referees were changed after every eight hours to provide them relief. The supporters of the Negro offered him drinks and cigarettes. Santiago continued looking into the eyes of his adversary and upon his arm. Both of them strained themselves so severely that blood began to ooze from the tips of their fingers.

             When the day was about to dawn, people demanded that the competition should be declared ending in a draw. But the referees did not agree to the proposal. The Negro was a man of strong nerves, great power of endurance. He once succeeded in bowing Santiago’s hand three inches below the balancing position, But Santiago soon retaliated and brought his arm back to the balancing point. This gave him a new confidence. He exerted himself with full might and determination and succeeded in defeating the Negro. In this way he was declared the Champion of the dock.