In Ernest Hemingway’s timeless novellaThe Old Man and the Sea, the character Santiago represents more than just an old fisherman engaged in a desperate struggle against nature. Santiago is consistently aided by various forces, both external and internal, that give him strength, resilience, and hope. These sources of aid reflect the broader human condition our need for support in moments of struggle, our spiritual resources, and the relationships that sustain us. Santiago’s journey is not one of complete solitude, as it is often misunderstood, but one supported by memory, faith, nature, and human connection.
Support from the Boy Manolin’s Loyalty and Affection
One of the most significant sources of assistance Santiago receives is from Manolin, the young boy who cares deeply for him. Though Manolin is not physically present during the old man’s sea voyage, his influence is consistently felt throughout the story.
- Emotional SupportBefore Santiago sets out on his voyage, Manolin shows unwavering affection, ensuring Santiago has food, bait, and encouragement. The boy’s faith in Santiago rekindles the old man’s self-respect and determination.
- A Symbol of HopeEven though the boy’s parents have forbidden him to fish with Santiago due to the old man’s bad luck, Manolin’s continued visits symbolize that Santiago is not forgotten or abandoned. His presence reminds Santiago that he matters to someone.
This emotional connection helps Santiago remain focused and driven. Throughout his battle with the marlin, Santiago thinks about Manolin often, drawing strength from the idea of the boy’s admiration and concern. This mental reinforcement is a quiet but powerful form of aid that reinforces Santiago’s dignity and purpose.
Spiritual Strength and Religious Faith
Another form of consistent aid Santiago relies upon is his spiritual life and religious background. Though he is not overtly pious, Santiago references religious elements that reveal his deep inner convictions.
Prayers and Invocations
During his battle with the great marlin, Santiago prays several times, invoking Hail Marys and Our Fathers. These prayers are not merely ritualistic but act as a means of psychological endurance. By turning to faith, Santiago finds calmness and perspective. His spiritual grounding helps him withstand pain, fatigue, and isolation.
He even makes promises to say additional prayers upon returning, revealing a belief in divine reciprocity a subtle acknowledgment that his strength is partly dependent on a higher power. These quiet appeals to God show how faith can aid a person even when all physical help is absent.
Nature as a Dual Ally
Interestingly, nature plays a complex yet ultimately supportive role in Santiago’s journey. While the sea can be harsh and unforgiving, Santiago has a deep respect for nature and often views it as a companion rather than a mere adversary.
- The SeaSantiago often refers to the sea as la mar” in the feminine form, which in Spanish culture connotes affection. He believes the sea is like a woman mysterious, giving, and sometimes cruel. Even when the sea challenges him, he sees it as an old friend.
- The MarlinSantiago feels a spiritual kinship with the marlin, calling it his brother. Their struggle is one of mutual respect, not hatred. This respectful relationship with his prey helps Santiago maintain his integrity and moral clarity.
- The Birds and StarsThe birds that fly over the sea and the stars that shine at night offer Santiago company and a sense of peace. They help him stay oriented and remind him he is not truly alone in the vast ocean.
Nature thus aids Santiago not only physically but emotionally and philosophically. His alliance with the natural world reinforces his resilience and provides a rhythm to his journey.
Personal Qualities as Inner Aid
Beyond external sources of support, Santiago is consistently aided by his own character traits. These internal resources are perhaps the most critical in enabling him to survive and preserve his sense of self-worth.
Determination and Discipline
Throughout the novel, Santiago demonstrates unwavering discipline. He follows fishing rituals, respects his craft, and sticks to his strategy even when things become difficult. His habits, developed over a lifetime, act as a silent form of aid, guiding him with structure when uncertainty looms.
Endurance and Pain Tolerance
Santiago’s physical endurance is remarkable. He tolerates hunger, cramping hands, back pain, and sleeplessness without complaint. This pain tolerance isn’t just a mark of his toughness it’s a source of strength that aids him during his most trying moments at sea.
Imagination and Memory
Santiago’s rich inner life offers a wellspring of encouragement. He recalls his youth, his strength, and particularly a famous arm-wrestling match in which he defeated a strong opponent. These memories serve as mental reinforcement, reminding him of what he’s capable of.
Additionally, he often imagines talking to Manolin or thinks about the boy’s reactions. These imagined conversations keep his mind sharp and hopeful, enabling him to push through despair.
Literary and Symbolic Interpretation of Aid
On a symbolic level, the aids Santiago receives reflect broader existential themes. Hemingway was known for his iceberg theory suggesting that much of what is meaningful lies beneath the surface of a story. The various sources of help Santiago receives point to fundamental truths about human survival.
- InterdependenceNo human is truly isolated. Santiago’s success and survival depend not just on his skill but on the emotional and spiritual ties that sustain him.
- Endurance as HeroismSantiago’s internal aids such as willpower, faith, and memory represent the qualities of a true hero. His success is not in landing the marlin, but in continuing to fight with grace and dignity.
- Respect for NatureBy treating nature as a partner rather than a foe, Santiago lives in harmony with his environment. This alliance becomes a source of strength rather than conflict.
The Quiet Power of Support
Santiago is consistently aided by more than just muscle and will. His success and survival are the result of a tapestry of support systems the boy who believes in him, the prayers that soothe his heart, the natural world that both challenges and comforts him, and his own hard-earned strength of character. Through this web of aid, Hemingway shows that even the most solitary journeys are never taken alone. Whether battling fish or fate, Santiago’s struggle becomes a testament to the quiet but vital power of belief, memory, and connection. His story reminds us that true strength often lies not in defiance, but in the grace with which we accept and honor the help we receive.