The Old Man and the Sea: Summary of Day 1

Day one of The Old Man and the Sea occurs in the first few pages. It is mainly opening the book, setting the plot in action, and introducing the characters. The story opens with the third person describing Santiago and his eighty-four day fishless streak. Although he is old, he is not helpless, and his eyes are described as “cheerful and undefeated.” Then Manolin comes into the story. Manolin is a young boy who lives in the same village and often helps Santiago. He has a bit of money because of his previous work on successful fishing skiffs, so he offers to once again help Santiago on his skiff. They bring in the gear from Santiago’s boat and stop by the local terrace café for a beer. Many of the other fishermen make fun of Santiago, but he does not really mind. Manolin begs him to fish together again, but Santiago refuses because he plans to go out into the deep water the next day where none of the other fishermen go to end his terrible fishing streak. The two then proceed to Santiago’s shack which is very small and modest consisting of a newspaper bed and very few other pieces. They then begin their normal dinner routine where Santiago offers a meal of yellow rice and fish to Manolin. However, Manolin is smart and knows that there is no food, so he goes out to get dinner for the old man instead. While Manolin is out, the reader is introduced to Santiago’s love for baseball and more specifically Joe DiMaggio. He excitedly reads the baseball scores out of the newspaper this night along with most every night. Manolin then returns with some bait fish for Santiago’s voyage the nest day and some soup for dinner. He got the food from the manager of the café, and Santiago is very grateful. The day ends with the two chatting about baseball, and Santiago goes to sleep in his newspapers until the nest day.