Hemingway's novel, The Old Man and the Sea, employs a narrative strategy of paired oppositions. The book explores thematic and structural contrasts, such as youth and old age, pride and humility, and the individual vs the community. These oppositions are not only present at a macro level but also at a micro level, deeply ingrained in the text. The novel uses lexical and syntactic devices to constantly remind the reader of these oppositions. For example, the protagonist Santiago is described as old, except for his young and cheerful eyes. The narrative also contrasts Santiago's victory over the marlin with his defeat by the sharks. Additionally, the novel explores the contrast between Santiago's view of the sea as feminine and others' view of it as masculine. These paired oppositions contribute to the overall unity and thematic depth of the novel.