How does Santiago's isolation affect his character and his relationship with others? What does the novel suggest about the nature of human isolation? The atmosphere of loneliness and self-reflection that Santiago experiences while at sea allows him to discover himself on his journey. It makes him more self-reliant and introspective, but it also causes him to feel lonely and disconnected from others.“No one should be alone in their old age, he thought.”(Hemingway 48). It makes him appreciate his relationships with others more by mentioning many times that he wishes that Manolin was with him. Santiago's flashbacks and the biblical imagery are used to emphasize the personal strength that Santiago has during his trip at sea. Hemingway …show more content…
Santiago acted as a mentor to Manolin. He taught him to fish and would take him out on his boat with him starting as early as age five. Manolin and Santiago fished together for many years, growing their relationship from Mentor/Apprentice to a friendship. Later however Santiago was having a long unlucky streak so Manolin's parents forced him to stop fishing with Santiago and to fish with a more successful boat. Although Manolin and Santiago are no longer fishing together he still helps him with carrying his fishing equipment and eats and drinks with him. Manolin still helps him out and is in some way repaying Santiago for all his help with helping him out in any way he …show more content…
Symbolism enhances the story by giving meaning to things in different ways. Symbolism helps us understand Santiago's character a lot more during the book. The symbolism of talking about Joe DiMaggio is important to Santiago because, in Santiago's eyes, he thinks that DiMaggio represents what a man should be. During what was a great time in his career he suffered through the pain of a bone spur and made a great comeback.
This idea of struggling and overcoming difficulties in order to ultimately redeem oneself is central to the conflict of The Old Man and the Sea. As Santiago struggles with the marlin, he compares his struggle with the pain of DiMaggio's bone spur and tries to live up to DiMaggio's example by not giving up on the marlin. He even says on page 97 that he thinks that DiMaggio would be proud of him and his struggle against the marlin. Showing that he truly does look up to DiMaggio and thinks about living up to