| The Old Man and the Sea was once described as | | | | and views on life. |
| a deceptively simple tale with a deeper meaning. | | | | Manolin exists as Santiago's social support: the one |
| Such was the depth of the reference, that | | | | who stays by him when all else seemed lost. Even |
| Hemingway employed only a few characters in | | | | at the end, Manolin returns to the plot and is |
| constructing the short story. This is indeed a | | | | relieved to find the old man safe. He appears to |
| unique novel where the main characters are not | | | | be the only one who knows of or cares about |
| necessarily all individuals or all human. | | | | the old man's fate. |
| Santiago/the Old Man | | | | The fishermen |
| The old man is undoubtedly the main focus of the | | | | The fishermen were generally utilised as a group |
| novel. He is Hemingway's hero against nature and | | | | of generalised others in Santiago's existence. They |
| the main conduit of the references and symbols | | | | were a reference point that helped demonstrate |
| that the author inserts into the story. Santiago is | | | | the unfortunate or blighted circumstances that |
| an old, experienced fisherman who is not | | | | Santiago faced in the first instance. They, along |
| invulnerable to a lack of success. His passion and | | | | with the tourists, stand in wonder of the skeleton |
| desire for his trade is unequivocal, but those | | | | of the marlin attached to the old man's skiff. Even |
| qualities help him not when he faced the open | | | | so, they do not even know of the ordeal or of |
| seas during the lean times. | | | | Santiago's efforts. The role of the fishermen as |
| Santiago has to struggle and ultimately endure | | | | generalised others helped highlight the futility of |
| huge disappointment. In between, he has | | | | Santiago's effort. The old man did not even get |
| ephemeral triumphs, although it would seem as if | | | | recognition for the astounding catch he made. |
| he is hugely defeated in the end. Even though he | | | | The fish |
| has a real ordeal throughout the story, he still | | | | The fish was a very important character in this |
| vows to go fishing again. The old man arouses | | | | novel. It may seem strange to highlight it as such. |
| compassion in the reader. Hemingway has the | | | | The reality is that Santiago almost bonded with |
| reader hoping that old Santiago could salvage | | | | the fish. Their fates were interlocked at the point |
| something from his battle with the great fish. | | | | that the marlin was trying to escape over the |
| Manolin | | | | two-day period. The fish's demise would have |
| Manolin is Santiago's young apprentice. He cares | | | | spelled success for Santiago just as the old man's |
| about and reveres the old man in spite of his | | | | failure would result in continued life for the great |
| recent failures at sea. Even though Manolin's | | | | fish. Santiago admired the tenacity and strength |
| parents forbid him from fishing with the old man, | | | | of the great fish that represented hope for the |
| he still keeps in touch with his mentor. Through | | | | old man. The more cynical critics would argue that |
| Santiago's dialogue with Manolin, Hemingway | | | | without the marlin, there would be no novel. |
| reveals salient aspects of the old man's character | | | | |