What makes Santiago a tragic hero?

A. He loses all his fishing gear when he sails out too far.

B. He is ridiculed by the people of his village for being unlucky.

C. He is successful catching the marlin but loses it to sharks.

D. He makes friends with the boy and teaches him to fish.

Probably B

Explanation:

From the very beginning of the short story, Hemingway makes it clear that while Santiago may be old, he is not worn out. He refuses to let his age slow him down, or make him reliant upon others, when it comes to continuing his work as a fisherman. This determination to keep going, even when he knows it may be too much to handle, is Santiago's fatal flaw. He does not want to continually rely on others, even when he has experienced long streaks of bad luck. His desire to go further, and prove his abilities as a fisherman, ultimately put him at risk for a fatal end.