The femininity of the old man can be manifested in two sides. On one side, old Santiago behaves mild and moderate which is more like feminine style. His manhood is different now with no more intense masculinity. It is crucial to prove that the old man become less masculine than before, because it offers possibility and base of being more feminine. On the other side, there are more feminine traits in Santiago comparing before. His feminine transformation focuses on his gradually appearing feminine traits and approaching to be gentler in manhood. Therefore, the dissertation makes no effort to describe Santiago’s transformation of his masculinity and feminine traits. Femininity and masculinity displayed simultaneously in the same person. And androgyny can be understood as a tranquil state of life in old age that book intends to convey.

1.1 Femininity and Androgyny

The old man’s femininity does not mean that he transferred his gender to female or he totally loses his masculinity. It is no doubt that Santiago is still a rugged and unyielding man. What differs between his prime of time and his declining years is that some of his masculinity features elapses while rather feminine and soft qualities are presented increasingly. Namely, those inborn and typical masculine traits which shine through his behavior and mind are not sharp as before. First, for the old man, the distinction between men and women fades away. Physically, he is senile and he loses his sexuality. Old Santiago has no desire for women and is no longer passionate. Mentally, Santiago is as gentle as a woman. Second, his ambition for conquering the sea changed. He is not intending to defeat anyone or any creature. Rather, he regards most of those creatures as friends. He wants to live in harmony with them and live a life of peace and tranquility. Then, Santiago always exudes a particular feeling of empathy and affection to his surroundings. His mindset and manner show gentler feminine traits. Last, the old man shows great care, love and dependence to the boy Marlin, which is not a hot-blooded man should think about.  

Studying on femininity plays an important role in better understanding Santiago as an old and moribund character in the novella. Santiago’s femininity can also further indicate Hemingway’s own attitudes toward femininity even androgyny.

There is a tendency that Santiago appears androgynous. Once Santiago is apt to conquer the world, attack the enemy and subjugate the sea. Nowadays his masculinity weakens and gathers together with his feminine side. Androgyny in The Old Man and the Sea is not the biological term. From a psychological perspective, it is a state of mind which is neither typical of man nor fully woman. As Virginia Woolf states, “it is fatal to be a man or woman pure and simple; one must be woman-manly or man-womanly” (Woolf 1929). According to the ideology of androgyny, Santiago can be considered as an ideal persona with man-womanly characteristics.

2. Santiago’s Former Masculinity

As a real man, Santiago’s masculinity can be presented through his brilliant fishing life and doughty male characteristics. He is a true man who devoted his whole life into fishing. Confidence, perseverance, strength and luck are what the old man is when he was young and strong. As a normal man, Santiago also deeply fall into love with his wife and into the sea ever. His strong possessiveness and desire disclose his natural instincts for women.

2.1 Santiago’s Past Glorious Days

Once upon a time, Santiago is a lucky successful fisherman in the Gulf Stream. From the perspective of the older fishermen, hearing about that Santiago has got no fish eighty-four days on the terrace, they are sad and pity for him. The attitudes of those men imply that in the past years, the old man must be glorious and master at fishing. People respect Santiago all along. Even nowadays many of them heave a sigh about him.

In the eye of the boy Manolin, Santiago is the best fisherman. He is strong though he is old. “There are many good fishermen and some great ones. But there is only you.” (Hemingway 1952: 8) Undoubtedly, Manolin’s love and respect for the old man base on the strength and fishing skills Santiago owns.