Description
A classic tale of the struggle of man against nature.
After 84 days without taking a fish it is Santiago's courage and perseverance of character that enables him to go out to sea in his weather-beaten boat each day despite the hardship and the disappointment of catching nothing.
In the midst of ridicule from younger fishermen, Santiago finds courage in his friendship with a young boy, Manolin, who has fished with Santiago since he was five years old. But because of Santiago's "bad luck," Manolin's parents will not allow the boy to fish with Santiago anymore.
Then Santiago goes out once more, further than usual, and he catches something—something large that pulls him and his boat out to sea. His endurance during the ordeal and in the face of apparent defeat is the stuff of legends!
The Old Man and the Sea Digital Download Literature Study Guide
Formatted with your High School student in mind, Progeny Press literature study guides provide in-depth lessons and writing assignments that strengthen reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and develop advanced literary analysis and essay writing skills. Each guide challenges students to think critically and engage meaningfully with the text, without unnecessary busywork that diminishes the joy of reading.
For over 30 years, homeschool families, co-ops, and Christian schools worldwide have trusted Progeny Press to provide rigorous, faith-based English and Language Arts curriculum that inspires thoughtful readers and confident writers.
What Progeny Press' The Old Man and the Sea Literature Curriculum Digital Study Guide provides your High School student:
ELA Built for Ages 15–18 • Grades 9–12
Our faith-based literature study guide helps students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
English/Language Arts Credit: This High School level literature curriculum offers a one-quarter credit for students.
Author Biography: Explore the life of Ernest Hemingway, whose impact goes beyond the pages of his iconic works.
Vocabulary: Analyze the carefully selected words that fill the novel's pages. Engage in a variety of activities designed to not only enhance your vocabulary but also stimulate lasting retention and growth.
Literary Techniques: Navigate the literary techniques employed by Hemingway in this immersive curriculum. From in-context exploration to the nuances of characterization, plot dynamics, and the art of weaving symbols, personification, and parallel characters, delve into the layers that define Hemingway's unique style. Engage with concepts like stream of consciousness, dynamic vs. static characters, and the portrayal of Christ-like figures, heroes, protagonists, and anti-heroes.
Moral Lessons and Character Values: Discover the significance of true faith, the delicate balance between pride and humility, the notion of work as a testament to God, resilience born from prayer and encouragement, and the enduring themes of hope, resolve, and inner strength. Discuss complex concepts such as motives, attitude, sin, the invincibility of inner peace, the repercussions of blame, the power of partnership, and the truth that bad things can happen to good people.
Activities and Writing Assignments: Select from a series of dynamic activities and writing assignments that extend beyond the novel. Explore the intricacies of WWI's Lost Generation, venture into the world of deep-sea fishing, participate in courage discussions, dissect Hemingway's distinctive writing style, unravel the mysteries of Jo DiMaggio's life, craft essays envisioning future dreams and plans, and delve into the realms of sea creatures, birds, and stream-of-consciousness writing. Express creativity through art, poetry, and narrative style, and contemplate topics such as Christian imagery, allusions, discouragement vs. encouragement, and the delicate balance between optimism and pessimism.
Suggestions for Further Reading: We include an extensive reading list featuring more works by Ernest Hemingway and other books and movies tied to or echoing the themes found in, Old Man and the Sea.
What Will You Need?
A Complete Language Arts Experience with Progeny Press
- A copy of the The Old Man and the Sea novel
- A copy of the The Old Man and the Sea study guide
- A Bible (digital or physical)
- A dictionary (child-friendly or online)
Created for upper-level learners, this guide strengthens critical thinking and encourages polished writing while helping students master essential ELA concepts.
Designed for YOU
- Homeschool families looking for Christian literature curriculum
- Schools looking for top quality ELA materials
- Parents wanting to build reading comprehension and character
- Co-ops and small group instruction
These guides work well on their own or alongside your preferred grammar and writing program.
Features and Benefits FAQ - Progeny Press ELA PDF Study Guide:
Why Schools & Families Love Our Study Guides:
- Faith-Based Curriculum: Each guide is rooted in Christian values, helping students grow academically while learning in a faith-aligned environment
- Proven Success: Trusted by homeschool families, co-ops, and Christian schools for more than 30 years.
- Easy to Follow & Open-and-Go: Designed for simplicity and flexibility. Just open and start learning.
- Biblical Connections: Every study promotes meaningful discussions that tie literature themes to Scripture and real-life application.
- Adaptable for Any Setting: Works beautifully in homeschools, classrooms, or co-ops and supports different learning styles and teaching methods.
- Thoughtfully Structured Lessons: Integrates literature analysis with biblical truth, helping students strengthen both academic understanding and spiritual growth.
- Engaging, Hands-On Activities: Includes projects, creative assignments, research papers, writing assignments, and interactive exercises that support reading comprehension and make learning memorable.
- No Busywork: Every activity is purposeful, faith-filled, and designed to deepen understanding—not fill time.
- Comprehensive Literature Coverage: Features classic and contemporary works that build strong literary foundations and critical thinking.
- Support for Parents & Teachers: Includes practical tips, clear instructions, and full answer keys to make teaching simple and effective.
Digital Format Details:
- Download instantly—no shipping required
- Works on Mac, PC, and most tablets
- Fillable form fields allow on-screen answers or easy printing
- No costly software purchases necessary. PDF files open in the FREE Adobe Reader program.
Note: Mobile devices may require an alternative app that supports and saves fillable form fields and interactive features. - Conveniently print what you need, when you need it
- Print the whole ELA study guide at once
- Print single literature lessons or pages as the student completes them
- Print multiple copies of the entire curriculum study guide for classroom sets
All of Progeny Press' language arts PDF download unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!
