By Casey O.

Without a friend the world can be a dark and lonely place to live. With Manolin at Santiago’s side it brings light into the sometimes depressing life of a fisherman. The relationship shown through out the book, The Old Man and the Sea, is remarkable. It reveals the meaning of best friend, and or father-son. Though Manolin was not Santiago’s son, Ernest Hemingway portrayed the relationship as though they were. Santiago took on the task of teaching the boy not only to fish but life lessons as if he was his son, and also sometimes felt lost when the boy wasn’t by his side. They shared one true interest also, which was baseball. Santiago was affected by Manolin and it showed as the story progressed.

Santiago I believe sees himself in Manolin. He, like Manolin, began fishing at a young age to provide for his family. While reading I saw how much compassion Santiago had towards Manolin, and how much he wanted him to become the best he could be. As stated in the quote, “They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy.”(25) It is telling the reader that he really does care about the boy. I believe that Santiago is grateful for Manolin being there, because I believe as though he always wanted a son to pass on his knowledge to.

Every now and then we would find Santiago talking to himself, and how he wishes the boy was with him on the voyage with the marlin. When Santiago says “I wish I had the boy… I’m being towed by a fish and I’m towing the bitt.”(45) It showed me that Santiago feels as though he is stronger when the boy is there, and alone he is lonely. Also, with the strength of the boy the marlin would have been a lot easier to tow in. Without the boy, Santiago does feel lost at times though, and it shows every now and then.

Lastly, baseball America’s favorite pass time was something that Manolin and Santiago both could relate to. “…When I come back you can tell me about baseball.” (17) This conversation goes on for about a page about baseball, and the teams that they feared, and wanted to win. Santiago believed in the Yankee’s while the young boy feared the Indians of Cleveland. I believe that Santiago enjoyed talking about baseball with Manolin because it was something more modern, and it was something that could bring the two of them closer together. It was the one true thing besides fishing that they could relate on.

Throughout the story the friendship between Manolin and Santiago becomes more and more distinct. I believe that the story would have been a completely different story if it weren’t for Manolin being in Santiago’s life. Manolin somewhat brought in the son aspect of Santiago’s life, and that was something that Santiago never had. The friendship was more of the good father-son, and without it Santiago’s journey may have been a bit duller.