By Julia M.

Ernest Hemingway’s novella, The Old Man and the Sea, focuses on the many relationships that the old man creates. Hemmingway works to build up many strong relationships between the old man and Manolin, the old man and the marlin, and Santiago and his hands. I think all these friendships helped Santiago’s character development as well as it helped to influence the decisions Santiago made.

Santiago and the boy, Manolin have a very strong friendship. Santiago first taught the boy to fish when he was just five years old. “ ‘I remember everything from when we first went [fishing] together,’ ” Manolin said to Santiago (12). Manolin’s parents put him on a separate boat after Santiago caught nothing for 84 days, however, their friendship is still strong. When Santiago set out on his 85^th day, he found himself often speaking aloud to himself saying, “ ‘I wish the boy were here,’ (56).” Santiago depended on Manolin in more than one way. To the old man, Manolin was the son he never had. Manolin gave him a reason to live, and to keep fishing no matter how little he caught.

Santiago spends four days out on the sea trying to catch the marlin. During this time, Santiago builds a relationship with the fish. Without the boy’s company, Santiago begins speaking to the fish, “ ‘The fish is my friend too,’ he said aloud (75)’. Santiago refers to the fish as his brother. Being a fisherman, Santiago has had many opinions about the fish. After being alone with no one but the marlin, he begins to think of the fish as a companion. He thinks about killing him and the fish’s respect. When they are finally arriving at the harbor, Santiago wonders whether it looks as though the fish is bringing Santiago in, or Santiago is bringing the fish in.

Another relationship the old man possesses is between him and his hands. Since Santiago lacks the new technology that all the young and rich fisherman have, he has to rely on his hands. During Santiago’s struggle with the marlin, his left hand fails him when it cramps. This worried him because he needed both his hands to work when it came time to strap the marlin to the side of the boat and ward off any sharks that might pick up the scent. “ ‘Be patient hand,’ he said, ‘I do this for you,’ ” and he took another bite of the tuna he caught (59). Santiago knows that he will need his strength so he eats the fish and talks to his hand, willing it to uncramp. With no updated instruments, Santiago’s hands are very valuable to him. He tries to take good care of them and keep them healthy.

All these relationships contribute to the story plot. If Santiago weren’t as close with Manolin as he is, he wouldn’t have had so much motivation to make it home. His relationship with the marlin gave him the strength to catch the fish and fend off the sharks. Lastly, the connection Santiago has with his hands helps him everyday when he is out on the sea. His hands are incredibly skillful after years of fishing. Also, Santiago believes he was born to be a fisherman. He thinks his hands were made to catch the biggest fish in the sea.