The Old Man and the Sea: Santiago and Manlolin

            Manolin and Santiago’s relationship in The Old Man and the Sea is a very special one. They have a relationship like a grandfather and grandson would have. What makes their relationship work so well is that it is based on kindness and caring. They except each other’s strength and weaknesses, and learn from one another. Manolin learned all he knows about fishing from the old man, which started his career as a fisherman off successfully. This makes Manolin respect and admire the old man. He constantly looks after him, even though his parents made him work for someone else. The boy brings the old man food and makes sure he brings all of his equipment in for the night and is well rested (Hemingway 24). In turn the old man loves him for this and admires the boy back. While the old man is on his treacherous five day journey, chasing the marlin, he repeats the same line over and over again. In this line he says he wishes the boy was there. This shows the need for the boy the old man has and wishing that he could help him in his time of need (Hemingway). When he finally does return, he gets his wish and the boy goes against his parents’ wishes and agrees to return to working with and for the old man (Hemingway 121). This will make it easier for the old man and in turn way prolong Santiago’s life so they can continue fishing together.  The relationship that the two of them have is one that should be looked at as a model. They have so much respect and admiration for each other that they do not have conflicts or someone is in charge of directing the other. This should be used as a model, because I think sometimes relationships fall into places where one person is more commanding of the other. If it is the way the men have it, people would get along much better.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.