Jurnal of Art
Volume 4 Nomor 1 Juli 2025

RETIREES’ PSYCHOLOGICAL STRUGGLES IN ERNEST HEMINGWAY’S THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

Bertova Simanihuruk (Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Katolik Santo Thomas)
Rini Rutcahyati Manalu (Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Katolik Santo Thomas)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study explores and analyzes the psychological struggles of retirees as portrayed in Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. The research uses a qualitative method with a psychosocial theory approach. The data are collected through comprehensive reading and identifying relevant narrative, dialogue, and symbolic elements. The data are analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s method, which includes data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The novel is viewed as a reflection of various psychological struggles, such as identity crisis, fear of uselessness, and loneliness. The results show that identity crisis is represented through Santiago’s self-doubt after failing to catch fish for many days. He feels that he is no longer the great fisherman he once was. The fear of uselessness is shown through his physical weakness and the fact that he is no longer as strong as he was in his youth. Nevertheless, he continues to fight hard to prove that he is still useful and that his life still has meaning. Loneliness is illustrated by his solitary life: no wife, no children, and no close friends. In conclusion, the author wants to convey that people do not need to run away from the reality of growing old. Instead, they should accept it wholeheartedly and continue to live their old age with enthusiasm, meaning, and happiness.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

MUSE

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Muse: Journal of Art is an information platform that contains scientific research articles, literature studies, ideas, theory applications, critical analysis studies, and other research in the field of English Literature. Muse: Journal of Art is published twice a year, July and January, published by ...